mm 


By  JHELDER-DUNCAN 


LIBRARY 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

SANTA  BARBARA 

PRESENTED  BY 
Glen   G.    Mosher 


«CSB  LIBRARY 
GLEN     G.     MOSHER 


— 


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COUNTRY  COTTAGES  AND 
WEEK-END   HOMES 


COUNTRY   COTTAGES  AND 
WEEK-END   HOMES 


BY 

J.  H.  ELDER-DUNCAN 

Editorial  Secretary  of  "The  Architectural  Review" 
Editor  of  "The  Municipal  Engineers'  Specification" 


WITH    NUMEROUS    ILLUSTRATIONS    AND    PLANS 
OF     COTTAGES    BY     WELL-KNOWN     ARCHITECTS 


JOHN    LANE    COMPANY 

NEW    YORK 

MCMIX 


PREFACE. 

The  object  of  this  book  is  to  tell  the  layman  of  moderate  means 
some  facts  about  Country  Cottages,  suitable  alike  to  his  class  and 
to  his  purse ;  to  show  him  some  commendable  examples  of  modern 
cottages  designed  either  for  permanent  homes  or  week-end  jaunts ; 
to  tell  him  of  what  these  cottages  are  built,  and  for  how  much  they 
were  built ;  and,  further,  to  describe  any  special  features  which  had 
a  direct  bearing  upon  either  the  materials,  the  plan,  or  the  ex- 
penditure. 

As  an  ulterior  object  or  motive  it  is  hoped  through  these 
pages  to  introduce  to  his  notice  the  work  of  a  few  of  those  Archi- 
tects who  are  endeavouring  to  follow  their  art  with  a  higher 
appreciation  for  aesthetic  considerations  than  commercialism  de- 
mands ;  and  to  prove,  by  the  very  examples  given,  that  great 
expense  is  not  the  inevitable  concomitant  of  good  design.  No 
idea  of  advancing  any  political,  sociological,  or  ethical  principle 
is  attempted :  it  is  assumed  that  the  reader  desires  to  live  in  the 
country  ;  that  he  wants  a  cottage  ;  and  desires  to  know  what  kind 
of  dwelling  he  can  obtain  for  the  available  sum  he  has   by  him. 

The  preliminary  chapters,  in  the  nature  of  a  general  con- 
sideration of  the  subject  of  cottage  building,  are  kept  as  far  as 
possible  free  from  technicalities  which  would  be  confusing,  as  the 
reader  will  not,  it  is  supposed,  be  hazardous  enough  to  start 
building  without  competent  advice.  So  far  as  the  writer  is  able 
to  make  them,  these  notes  are  practical  suggestions — points  on 
which  the  layman  may  have  to  form  an  opinion  before  he  is  in  a 
position  to  build  profitably. 

As  far  as  possible  the  actual  costs  of  the  buildings  illustrated 
are  given ;  but  in  certain  cases  the  figures  have  been  suppressed 
in  deference  to  the  owners'  wishes,  or  because  the  cottages  were 
built  for  sale  or  are  in  the  market.  In  regard  to  these  houses 
the   figures   will    be    furnished   to    readers    genuinely   interested,    by 

5 


PREFACE. 

the  respective  Architects,  whose  names  and  addresses  will  be 
found  in  the  list  following.  The  costs  as  given  apply  to  the 
dwellings  only,  and,  unless  specifically  stated,  do  not  include  the 
expenses  of  sinking  wells,  laying  out  gardens,  building  stables  or 
fencing. 

The  short  chapter  on  gardens  does  not  attempt  to  be  exhaust- 
ive, but  may  be  suggestive  to  cottage  builders  of  treatments  that 
they  may  desire  to  employ.  So  much  depends  on  the  size  of  the 
available  ground  that  dogmatism  or  any  stereotyped  plan  is  to  be 
deprecated. 

The  information  in  Chapter  VIII.  is  given  merely  for  reference 
purposes ;  the  schedule  of  Architects'  fees  will  no  doubt  be  of 
service. 

It  remains  for  the  writer  to  acknowledge  his  indebtedness  to 
the  various  Architects  who  have  kindly  assisted  him  by  contributions 
of  plans  and  particulars ;  also  the  proprietors  of  The  Tatler  and 
the  proprietors  of  The  Architectural  Review  for  permission  to 
reproduce  some  notes  and  information  written  for  those  periodicals. 


NOTE   TO  THE  THIRD    IMPRESSION. 

Two  correspondents  have  kindly  called  my  attention  to  the  absence 
of  any  information  in  the  book  concerning  "pugging"  (Scots  term: 
"  deafening  ") — a  device  to  prevent  sound  travelling  through  the  floors 
between  upper  and  lower  rooms.  There  are  two  methods,  neither 
of  which  is  employed  as  frequently  as  it  might  be.  In  the  first 
one  fillets  are  nailed  on  the  sides  of  the  joists  or  floor  beams  to 
support  planks,  which  are  covered  to  a  depth  of  3  or  4  inches 
with  fibrous  plaster  or  slag  wool  before  nailing  down  the  floor 
boards.  This  is  an  effectual  method,  but  one  that  is  liable  to 
induce  dry  rot.  The  other  method,  which  is  not  so  liable  to 
produce  the  defect  mentioned,  is  to  lay  sheets  of  sound-proof 
felting  over  the  joists  before  laying  the  floor  boards. 

One    correspondent    complains    of    sound    travelling     through 
partition   walls.       In   his   drawing-room    he    can    almost    hear   the 


PREFACE. 

exact  words  spoken  in  the  kitchen.  This  is,  of  course,  a  common 
defect  with  lath  and  plaster  partitions,  unless  they  are  treated  in 
a  manner  similar  to  the  "pugging"  of  the  floors.  Slag  wool  or 
sawdust  have  frequently  been  employed  between  the  studs ;  but 
sound-proof  felting  nailed  on  to  the  studs  would  be  better.  To 
give  sufficient  key  to  the  plaster  the  laths  should  be  fixed  to  thin 
battens  nailed  on  to  the  studs  over  the  felting. 

Another  point  raised  is  the  number  of  w.c.'s  and  their 
position.  The  smallest  cottage  (of  the  class  dealt  with)  should 
have  two  ;  one  upstairs  and  one  down,  and  an  extra  one  down- 
stairs for  the  servants  is  desirable.  The  noise  of  flushing  can 
only  be  obviated  by  deafening  the  partitions  or  walls,  and  by 
fixing  one  of  the  silent  flushing  cisterns.  To  place  them  in 
convenient  but  unobtrusive  positions  is  a  matter  of  planning. 
In  all  cases  the  entrance  should  be  contrived  away  from  a  main 
passage.  I  sometimes  think  there  is  undue  squeamishness  over 
these  things. 

One  of  the  technical  journals  having  attacked  the  diagrams 
of  bedrooms  on  page  31,  it  is  fair  to  myself  to  say  that  I  have 
been  trained  both  as  an  Architect  and  a  Civil  Engineer,  that  the 
bedrooms  shown  are  all  taken  from  Architects'  plans,  that  the 
rooms,  as  well  as  the  pieces  of  furniture  indicated,  are  drawn  to  scale, 
and  that  the  chimney  shown  in  Diagram  1  does  not  smoke,  and 
never  has  done  so.  I  could  have  given  many  pages  of  illustrations 
of  badly  designed  bedrooms,  all  taken  from  Architects'  plans, 
but  the  one  example  was  sufficient. 

J.    H.    ELDER-DUNCAN. 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    I. 

PAGE 

Choice  of   a   Locality  and  Site — Water  Supply — Lighting — 

Drainage — General  Notes u 

CHAPTER    II. 
Treatment  of  Exteriors  and  Interiors— Fittings — Decoration       23 

CHAPTER    III. 
The  Question  of  Cost 46 

CHAPTER    IV. 
Descriptions  of  Cottages  Costing  from  £200  to  £1,000     .       .       59 

CHAPTER    V. 
Descriptions   of   Cottages   Costing  from  £1,000  to  £2,000    .       95 

CHAPTER    VI. 

Descriptions  of  Cottages  and  Houses  Costing  from  £2,000 

to  £3,500   .  144 

CHAPTER    VII. 
Some  Notes  on  Cottage  Gardens 218 

CHAPTER     VIII. 
Professional  Charges  of  Architects 222 


INDEX  TO   ARCHITECTS  AND 
HOUSES   ILLUSTRATED. 


B  PAGE 

Bacon,    Francis,    Junr.,    6,     York    Mansions, 
Battersea  Park,  London,  S.W. 
"  Little  Gravels,"  Burghclere,  Hants    .         54,  55 
Bluhm,  Q.  Mangnall,  Wood  Street  Chambers, 
St.    Anne's-by-the-Sea,    and    408,    Temple 
Chambers,  Brazenose  Street,  Manchester. 
First  prize  Pair  of  Cottages,  Cleveleys,  Lanes.     36 
Bolton,  Arthur  T.,  28,  Victoria  Street,  West- 
minster, London,  S.W. 
Design  for  Ghyll  Cottage,  Goudhurst,  Kent.     68 
House  on  the  Downs,  Lyminge,  Kent   .        .216 
Brewill,    A.    W.,    F.R.I. B.A.,   and    Basil   E. 
Bailv,  F.R.I.B.A.,  44,   Parliament  Street, 
Nottingham. 
"  The  Paddock,"  Ruskington,  Lincolnshire      .      75 
Pair  of  Cottages,   Seacroft,   Lincolnshire         .     83 
Cottage  at  Beeston,  Notts  ....    105 
"  The  Bungalow,"  Seacroft,  Lincolnshire  .    133 

House  at  London  Road,  Newark,  Notts  .    171 

Buckland,   Herbert  T.,   and   E.   Haywood- 
Farmer,  25A,  Paradise  Street,  Birmingham. 
House  at  Lynden  End,  near  Birmingham     .    128 
House  at  Bridlington,  Yorks  .       134,  135,  136 

House  at  Wigginton,  Staffordshire  .  .    161 


Cappon,  T.   M.,   F.R.I.B.A.,   32,   Bank   Street, 
Dundee,  N.B. 

Cottage  at  Rosemount,  near  Blairgowrie,  N.B.     90 
Caygill,  The  late  Joseph. 

The  Avenue  Cottage,  Stansted,  Essex   65,  66,  67,  68 


Done,  Albert  E.,  2,  Oxford  Road,  Blackpool, 
Lanes. 
First  prize  Detached  Cottage,  Cleveleys,  Lanes.    35 
Douglas    and    Minshull,    6,    Abbey     Square, 
Chester. 
"  Lonnin   Garth,"  Portinscale,  Cumberland  84,  85 
Drummond,     Bertram,   A.R.I.B.A.,    6,    Birley 
Street,   Blackpool,   and    16,   Clifford's   Inn, 
London,  E.C. 
Second  prize    Detached   Cottage,    Cleveleys, 
Lanes.     .......     35 


Eden  and  Freeman,  3,  Staple  Inn,  High  Hol- 
born,  London,  W.C. 


Cottage  at  Harmer  Green 


152.  153 


Fair,  John  W.,  and  Val  Myer,  A.R.I.B.A.,  39, 
Furnival  Street,  E.C. 
Bungalow,  Marsh  Lock  .... 


B 


50 


Fair,  J.  W.,  and  Val  Myer  (contd.).  page 

Bungalow,  Rotherfield  Peppard,  Oxon    .  .     52 

"  Redroofs,"  Henley-on-Thames,  Oxon  .  .    108 

"  Kings-Wood,"  Harpsden  Heights,  Oxon        .    166 

Field,    Horace,    and    Simmons,    i,    Langham 
Chambers,  Langham  Place,  London,  W. 
Pair  of  Cottages  at  Ripley,  Surrey  .  .      51 

Two  Cottages  at  Bramley,  Surrey.  .         53,  54 

Cottage  at  Heyshott,  Midhurst,  Sussex  .     138,  139 
Group  of  five  Cottages  at  Woking,  Surrey 
"  The  White  Cottage,"  Hampstead 
House  at  Stanmore,  Middlesex 

Figgis,   T.   Phillips,   F.R.I. B.A.,   28,   Martin's 
Lane,  Cannon  Street,  London,  E.C. 
House  at  Loughton,  Essex     .... 

Fletcher,    H.    M.,    10,    Lincoln's    Inn    Fields, 
London,  W.C. 
Cottage  at  Letchworth,  Herts 


180 
184 
203 


179 


Gimson,  Ernest,  Daneway  House,  Sapperton, 
near  Cirencester. 
Cottage     in     the     Gloucestershire     Cotswold 

District 

Two  Cottages  in  Charnwood  Forest,  Leicester- 
shire       ......      116, 

Gregg,   Theodore,    and    Lionel   G.  Detmar, 

A.R.I. B.A.,  ia,  St.  Helen's  Place,  London, 

E.C. 

House  on  the  Broadview  Estate,  Rotherfield, 

Sussex     ....... 


97 


106 


"7 


86 


Hardwick,     A.     Jessop,     F.R.I. B. A.,     Eagle 
Chambers,  Kingston-on-Thames,  Surrey. 
Cottage  at  Roehampton,  Surrey,  No.  r   .  .154 

Cottage  at  Roehampton,  Surrey,  No.  2    .  .    155 

Cottage  at  Coombe,  Surrey    ....    170 

Horder,    P.    Morley,    F.R.I.B.A.,    148,    New 
Bond  Street,  London,  W. 
Cottage  at  Orpington,  Kent  .  .  .  .69 

Cottage  at  Upper  Warlingham,  Surrey    .  .118 

Cottage  at  Crompton,  near  Guildford,  Surrey  .    123 
House  at   Garboldisham,  Norfolk  .  .  .   158 

House  at  Swansea,  S.  Wales         .  .  .    164 

Cottage  at  Leatherhead,  Surrey     .  .     201,  202 

Houfton,     Percy     B.,     Furnival     Chambers, 
Chesterfield,  Notts. 
The  prize  "  £150  Cottage,"  Letchworth,  Herts     25 
Cottage  at  Brampton,  near  Chesterfield,  Notts     72 

I 

Ibberson,  H.  G.,  F.R.I.B.A.,  28,  Martin's  Lane, 
Cannon  Street,  E.C,  and  Hunstanton,  Nor- 
folk 
Week-end  Cottage  at  Trimingham,  Norfolk     .     78 
'  Knighton,"    Boston    Square,    Hunstanton, 
Norfolk  .  .  .  .  .         .     no,  in 


Index  to  Architects  and  Houses  Illustrated— continued. 


IBBERSON,  H.  G.   (contd.).  PAGE 

'  Northernhav,"  Boston  Square,  Hunstanton, 

Norfolk *"■  "2 

"  Fridhem,"  Hunstanton,  Norfolk  .      145.  146 

"  White  Cottages,"  Hunstanton,  Norfolk       .    146 
Pair  of  Cottages,  Boston  Square,  Hunstanton, 

Norfolk 147 

Cottage,  Lincoln  Square,  Hunstanton,  Norfolk  148 


Lander,   H.   Clapham,    A.R.I.B.A.,   Effingham 
House,    Arundel    Street,    Strand,    London, 
W.C. 
Pair  of  Houses  at  Letchworth,  Herts     .     181,  182 


Macartney,  Mervyn  E.,  B.A.,  F.R.I.B.A.,  10, 
Lincoln's  Inn  Fields,  London,  W.C. 
Cottage  at  Silchester  Common,  near  Reading  76,  77 
"  Foxhold,"  Newbury,  Berks  .       175.  T76.  177 

House  at  Greenham  Common,  Bucks     .      182,  1S3 
Mallows.  C.  E.,  F.R.I.B.A.,  28,  Conduit  Street, 
London,    W. 
Cottage  at  Biddenham,  Bedfordshire,  No.  1        .  172 
Cottage  at  Biddenham,  Bedfordshire,  No.  2        .  173- 

174.  1/5 

N 

Newton,    Ernest,    F.R.I.B.A..    4,    Raymond 

Buildings,  Gray's  Inn,  W.C. 
House  at  Bickley,  Kent         .  .  .      19°.  I9I 

House  at  Wimbledon,  Surrey  .  .  .212 

Nicholson  and  Corlette.  2,  New  Square,  Lin- 
coln's Inn  Fields,  W.C. 
"The    White    Cottage,"     Englefield    Green, 

Egham,  Surrey         ....     162,  163 
"The  Warren,"  Totteridge,  Herts.  .  .    16S 

Niven.Wigglesworth  and  Falkner.F.R.I.B.A., 

104,  High  Holborn,  London,  W.C,  and  23, 

West  Street,  Farnham,  Surrey 
Cottage  at  Farnham,  Surrey  .  .         70,  71 

Cottage  with  high  chimneys,  Farnham,  Surrey  89 
"The     Dial     House,"     Shortfield     Common, 

Farnham,  Surrey      .  .  .  .         91.92 

Cottage  in  the  Bourne,  Farnham,  Surrey    112,  113 
Cottage  with  Pergola,  Farnham,  Surrey.     114,  115 
North,  Herbert  L.,  B.A.,  A.R.I. B.A.,  Llanfair- 

fechan,  N.  Wales. 
"  Bolnhurst,"  Llanfairfechan,  N.  Wales  .     47 

Design  for  a  Country  Cottage  in  Snowdonia  .  4S 
Pair  of  Cottages,  Llanfairfechan,  N.  Wales  .  107 
"  Rosebriers,"  Llanfairfechan,  N.  Wales      119.  120 


Owen,  William  and  Segar,  F.R.I.B.A.,  Cairo 
Street  Chambers,  Warrington,  Lanes 
House  at  Appleton,  Cheshire  .  .  .    204 

High  Cliffe,  Appleton,  Cheshire  .  .  .205 


Parker,  Barry,   and   Raymond   Unwin,   Bal- 
dock,  Herts,  and  Buxton,  Derbyshire. 
Thornthwaite  Vicarage,  Keswick,  Cumberland  160 
Cottage  at  Minehead,  Somerset     .  .     193,  194 

Pinkerton,  Godfrey,  10,  Lincoln's  Inn  Fields, 
London,  W.C. 
Cottage  at  Hook  Heath,  Woking,  Surrey     126,  127 

Poulter,  H.  R.  and  B.  A.,  Camberley,  Surrey. 
"  Woodcote,"  Camberley,  Surrey  .  .  .140 

"  Ingledell,"  Camberley,  Surrey    .  .      149,150 

"  Curraghvoe,"  Camberley,  Surrey         .  .    156 


Quennell.  C.  H.  B.,  17.  Victoria  Street,  West- 
minster, London.  S.W. 
Cottage  at  Sutton  Veny,  Warminster,  Wilts     98, 99 
Cottage  at  Farnborough,  Hants   .  .       99,  100 

Cottage  at  Camberley,  Surrey  .  136,  137,  138 
Cottage  at  Purley,  Surrey  ....  159 
Cottage  at  Northwood,  Middlesex.  .  .    165 

House  at  Wickham  Bishops,  Essex  .  .    167 


Rhodes.  John  W.,  F.R.I.B.A.,  5,  Mitre  Court, 
Fleet  Street,  London,  E.C. 
Cottage  at  Epping,  Essex      .  .  .  .38 

"  The  Garden  House,"  Saltwood,  Kent  .      208,  209 

Ricardo,  Halsey,  13,  Bedford  Square,  W.C. 
House  at  Letchworth,  Herts.  .  .      121,122 


Schultz,  Robert  Weir,  F.R.I.B.A.,  14,  Gray's 
Inn  Square,  London,  W.C. 
Cottage  at  Polebrook,  Hever,  Kent         .  .     49 

"  The  Croft,"  Winchfield,  Hants    .  .  .195 

"  Beaumonts,"  Edenbridge,  Kent.  .      198,199 

Scott,  M.  H.  Baillie,  Fenlake  Manor,  Bedford. 
Pair  of  Cottages,  Letchworth,  Herts        .  .     37 

Cottage  at  Letchworth,  Herts       .  .  .    151 

Sirr,  Harry,  F.R.I.B.A.,  and  E.  J.  Rope,  50, 
Twisden  Road,  Highgate,  London,  N.,  and 
Little  Glemham,  Suffolk. 
House  at  Orford,  Suffolk       .  .  .      177.178 

Shepheard,   T.    Faulkner,    13,    South    Bank, 
Birkenhead. 
Second    prize    Pair    of    Cottages,    Cleveleys, 
Lanes      .......      36 

Spooner,  Charles  and  Cobbold,   17,  Bedford 
Row,  London,  W.C. 
Cottage  at  Bury,  Sussex        .  .       199,  200,  201 

House  at  Shottermill,  Hindhead,  Surrey.     206,  207 
"  Rushmere  Lodge,"  near  Ipswich,  Suffolk  209,  210 


Voysey,  C.  F.  A.,  23,  York  Place,  Baker  Street, 
W. 
"Tilehurst,"  Bushey,  Herts.  .       124,125,126 

"  The  Orchard,"  Chorley  Wood,  Herts   .     196,  197 


W 


Warren.    Edward.     F.S.A..     F.R.I.B.A.,    20, 
Cowley  Street,  Westminster,  London,  S.W. 
Breach  House,  Cholsey         .  .       213,  214,  215 

White,  William  H.,  F.R.I.B.A.,  14A,  Cavendish 
Place,  London,  W. 
Bungalows    specially    designed    for    Messrs. 
Oetzmann  and  Co.  ....         26,  56 


Design  for  a  Cottage  Residence 
"  Newlands,"  Bourne  End,  Bucks. 
Wilson,    A.     Needham,    28,    Martin's     Lane, 
Cannon  Street,  E.C. 
Cottage  at  Buckhurst  Hill,  Essex  . 
Wood,    Edgar,   A.R.I.B.A.,    78,    Cross    Street, 
Manchester. 
"  The  Dingle,"  Dore,  Cheshire     . 


157 
211 


109 


169 


COUNTRY  COTTAGES  AND 
WEEK-END  HOMES. 


CHAPTER    I. 

CHOICE    OF    A    LOCALITY    AND     SITE WATER     SUPPLY LIGHTING 

DRAINAGE GENERAL    NOTES. 

where       Those    who    are    seeking    the    recuperative    effects    of 
T0  country  as  a  remedy  to  the  nervous  wear  and    tear    of 

live.  modern    city    life  are  likely  to  be  dismayed    when    first 

faced  with  this  momentous  question.  To  draw  on  the  map  a  circle 
at  a  20  miles  radius  from  the  heart  of  a  big  city  and  note  on  that 
circle  the  innumerable  places  at  which  one  might  live  is  almost  to 
deter  one  from  making  a  choice  at  all.  In  reality  the  difficulty  of 
choosing  is  more  apparent  than  real.  It  is  determinate  even 
more  on  numerous  practical  factors  and  considerations  than  on 
personal   predilection. 

Our  main  considerations  must  be  distance  and  means  of 
locomotion.  To  the  proud  possessor  of  a  motor  these  matters 
may  be  of  little  moment  ;  to  the  average  man  they  are  of  con- 
siderable importance,  and  will  probably  have  great  influence  in 
his  selection  of  the  locality.  If  the  City  man  intends  to  travel 
daily  to  and  from  his  country  home,  thirty  miles  is  probably  the 
greatest  distance  from  town  that  he  can  afford  to  live,  either  as 
regards  the  cost  of  travelling  or  the  time  so  occupied.  If  this 
cottage  is  for  use  at  week-ends  or  during  the  summer  months, 
he  may  live  another  ten  or  twenty  miles  out.  The  leisured 
classes  have  a  wider  choice.  A  bungalow  at  Cromer  or  Sher- 
ingham,  or  a  cottage  in  the  New  Forest  may  be  conveniently 
suitable  for  the  Society  man  who  has  no  business  claims  to 
consider. 

The  "  Country  Cottage  craze,"  as  a  social  critic  has  unkindly 
termed  it,  has  different  manifestations  in  different  towns,  mainly 
depending  on  the  advantages  afforded  by  quick  or  express  railway 
services.  London  has  the  greatest  choice,  for  practically  every 
one  of  the  numerous  railways  caters  for  the  "week-ender."  In 
provincial  cities  the  railways  are  fewer,  and  the  "week-ender" 
foregathers  in  one  or  two  outlying  villages  to  which  there  are 
local  travelling  facilities.  Thus  the  Glaswegian  travels  out  to 
Helensburgh  or  some  other  Clydeside  village ;  the  Mancestrian 
to  the  Cheshire  villages  beyond  the  Mersey ;  the  Liverpudlian  to 
Southport ;    the   Nottingham  merchant  to   Clifton  or   Carlton  ;   the 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

Leicester  man  to  Charnwood,  Ashby  Magna,  or  Lutterworth ; 
the  business  men  in  the  loom  districts  of  Yorkshire  naturally 
travel  to  the  Moors,  while  the  inhabitant  of  Birmingham  seems 
to   favour  the  Sutton   Coldfield  district  of  Warwickshire. 

But  the  week-end  habit  does  not  seem  so  pronounced  in 
provincial  cities  as  in  London,  and  the  reason  is  not  far  to  seek. 
London  is  a  peculiarly  difficult  city  to  "  get  out  of";  the  county 
area,  ten  miles  by  six,  by  no  means  represents  the  extent  of 
London  when  the  independent  outlying  boroughs  and  districts 
are  considered,  and  these  suburbs  of  "  London-over-the-Border " 
must  be  traversed  ere  the  country  can  be  reached.  In  provincial 
cities,  if  we  except  Manchester,  ringed  round  with  manufacturing 
towns,  this  difficulty  hardly  exists.  In  Nottingham,  Leicester, 
and  other  growing  towns  a  twenty-minute  tram  ride  from  the 
Market  Place  will  bring  one  into  open  country.  Also  in  many 
of  the  provincial  cities  the  conditions  of  life  are  hardly  so 
onerous  or  unpleasant  as  to  deter  men  from  living  within  the 
city    borders. 

Yet  the  provinces  are  by  no  means  oblivious  to  the  benefits 
to  be  derived  from  a  country  home,  but  as  a  rule  these  country 
dwellings  are  permanent  ones  and  not  merely  week-end  cottages 
or  summer  pleasure  haunts.  And  it  is  not  an  uncommon  thing  for 
provincial  city  men,  who  cannot  well  live  in  the  outlying  villages 
of  the  city,  to  rent  a  seaside  or  country  cottage  for  the  summer 
months,  and  spend  as  much  time  there  as  their  business  will  allow. 

Comparison,  therefore,  becomes  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  if 
one  desires  to  contrast  the  country  home  of  the  Londoner  with 
that  of  his  provincial  brother.  For  the  Londoner,  already  possess- 
ing a  house  or  flat  in  town,  desires  in  the  country  to  live  the 
simple  life,  and  his  cottage  is  considered  with  this  end  in  view  ; 
while  the  provincial  citizen  usually  takes  with  him  his  dining-room, 
drawing-room,  study,  billiard-room,  boudoir,  and  all  other  items 
of  a  well-ordered  city  civilisation.  Naturally  his  house  is  an 
expensive  one,  and  he  frequently  spends  thousands  where  the 
Cockney  spends  hundreds. 

In  the  matter  of  travelling  facilities  the  Londoner  is  well  endowed. 
Nine  trunk  and  other  lines  exist  to  carry  him  away  to  the  various 
points  of  the  compass,  and  he  has  apparently  an  almost  limitless 
number  of  districts  to  select  from.  Actually,  he  will  find  his 
choice  considerably  restricted.  It  is  a  troublesome  matter,  even 
with  the  aid  of  tube  railways  and  other  aids  to  rapid  locomotion, 
to  get  across  London,  and  the  man  whose  office  lies  near  to 
London  Bridge  will  inevitably  look  to  the  Brighton  line  for  a 
district  to  live  in  rather  than  one  on  the  Great  Western.  In 
the  provinces,  as  has  been  explained,  there  is  not  much  choice 
of  route  ;  but  the  distance  to  be  traversed  is  generally  less. 
Here  the  cycle  may  well  become  a  factor  in  the  matter  of 
locomotion ;  but  in  London  only  the  owner  of  a  powerful  motor 
can  be  independent  of  the  railway  services. 

Personal  preferences  in  the  choice  of  a    district    are  obviously 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

outside  the  range  of  discussion.  A  desire  to  be  near  friends,  to 
be  near  a  river  for  boating,  or  a  golf  course  for  golfing,  or  in  a 
good  hunting  district,  are  factors  in  the  selection  as  important 
as    the    natural    beauties    and    advantages  of  the    place    itself. 

There  is  another  question  in  the  choice  of  a  district  to 
which,  perhaps,  passing  attention  should  be  directed.  That  is 
the  quality  of  the  air.  We  are  accustomed  to  speak  of  places 
as  being  "  bracing "  or  "  relaxing,"  without  always  attaching  due 
importance  to  the  meaning  of  the  words.  When,  however,  one 
seeks  a  country  home  from  consideration  of  health,  these  items 
and  the  climatic  conditions  they  represent  become  duly  sig- 
nificant. Offhand  one  always  votes  for  bracing  air,  and  with  the 
majority  of  folks  bracing  air  will  doubtless  agree ;  but  there 
are  numbers  of  city  bred  people  and  children  who  are  rarely 
quite  well  except  in  an  atmosphere  that  many  would  regard  as 
relaxing.  A  more  annoying  contretemps  cannot  be  imagined 
than  the  possession  of  a  country  home  in  a  district  which 
disagrees  with  the  owner ;  and  as  this  has  proved  a  genuine 
trouble  in  several  instances  a  word  of  advice,  medical  or  other- 
wise, would  doubtless  be  prudent  before  the  district  is  actually 
fixed    upon. 

The  locality  fixed  upon,  there  remains  the  selection  of 

THE  the  actual  site.     Here  comes  into  play  a  whole  range 

selection  0f  questions,  having  a  more  or  less  direct  bearing  on 
of  a  site.  tjie  convenience  and  comfort  of  the  home  to  be 
erected.  The  proximity  to  the  railway  station,  the  post  office, 
shops,  places  of  worship,  and  a  doctor,  are  questions  that  at 
once  suggest  themselves.  Water  supply,  lighting,  the  condition 
of  the  roads,  and  the  average  price  of  ground  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, are  also  of  importance.  But  above  all  these  may  be 
set    the    nature    of  the    ground    itself  and    its   situation. 

No  one  deliberately  seeks  a  damp  situation,  but  there  is  a 
temptation  to  nestle  one's  home  in  the  trees  on  the  banks  of 
a  lake  or  river,  and  this  fondness  for  the  picturesque  may  have 
to  be  resisted.  The  brook  that  babbles  by  is  a  promising 
and  poetic  addition  to  one's  garden,  but  if  the  said  brook  is 
used  by  the  village  higher  up  as  a  public  sewer  the  result  may 
be  promising  but  certainly  unpoetic.  Your  neighbour's  efforts 
in  poultry  raising  may  be  interesting,  but  less  so  if  his  food 
bill  is  diminished  by  the  nutritive  value  of  your  garden  seeds. 
To  many  country  people  a  rookery  is  a  distinctly  precious 
possession ;  to  a  town  bird  these  feathered  friends  may  appear 
as  a  direct  encouragement  of  insanity.  These  and  a  thousand 
other  possible  petty  annoyances  may  occur  to  one,  and  the 
value  of  living  in  a  district  and  learning  something  about  it 
before  one  settles  there  need  hardly  be  emphasised.  It  is  best 
to    buy   land   only    in    a    district   that    one    knows. 

As  regards  subsoil  it  is  a  safe  rule  to  have  nothing  to  do 
with  clay.  It  is  a  wet  land,  and,  as  a  rule,  unhealthy.  If  you 
build    on    a    clay   slope    your    dwelling    may    combine    the    advan- 

13 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

tages  of  a  home  and  a  switchback,  descending  one  fine  day 
into  the  valley  beneath.  Clay  is  not  an  impossible  soil,  but 
if  you  desire  to  go  in  for  draining — your  purse  as  well  as  the 
ground— it  can  be  made  passable.  Peat  and  other  water-holding 
soils    are   always    to    be    avoided. 

Gravel  is  pre-eminently  the  best  soil.  A  gravel  subsoil, 
overlain  with  fine  loam,  will  prove  an  excellent  site.  Rock  is, 
of  course,  a  safe  and  sure  foundation,  but  the  nature  of  the 
rock  and  the  work  necessary  to  firmly  plant  your  dwelling 
thereon  should  be  carefully  looked  into  before  it  is  decided 
upon    as    a  site. 

It  is  usually  considered  desirable  to  secure  a  good  open 
outlook  to  the  south  and  west,  these  being  the  quarters  from 
which  the  maximum  amount  of  sunshine  is  obtainable.  All 
things  considered,  a  site  just  below  the  summit  of  a  hill  facing 
south  or  south-west  is  an  ideal  situation.  The  summit  of  the 
hill  protects  the  house  from  the  cold  northerly  or  north-easterly 
breezes,  and  a  fine  open  view  is  obtainable  down  the  slope. 
Almost  as  good  a  situation  is  the  south  or  south-west  side  of 
a  thick  plantation,  which  acts  similarly  as  a  screen  against 
the    cold. 

The  distance  from  the  main  road,  if  considerable,  may 
involve  heavy  expense  in  the  construction  of  a  drive.  A  drive 
means  a  continual  expense  for  repairs,  and  in  bad  weather  will 
be  found  a  nuisance  to  traverse.  At  the  same  time  it  is  not 
desirable  to  be  too  near  a  public  road — especially  a  main  road. 
The  appalling  amount  of  dust,  not  to  speak  of  the  noise,  caused 
by  motor  cars  will  make  any  cottage  near  or  "  on  "  a  main 
road  practically  uninhabitable,  and  not  only  will  the  dust  be 
an  absolute  nuisance  in  the  house,  but  the  garden  will  be 
quite  ruined  by  it.  If  possible,  therefore,  a  situation  on  a  by- 
road,   some    little   way   from    the    main    road,    is    a    desideratum. 

The    supply    of    water    is    another    important     matter. 

water       Wherever   possible    it    pays    to    have    a    supply  of  good 

supply.       water   fr°m    a  company's    main.     Where,  however,  this 

is   impossible,    a    well    may    have    to    be    sunk.      The 

question    of  well-sinking    opens    up    a    wide    field    of    possibilities, 

difficulties,    and     dangers.         Expert    geological     advice     may     be 

required  as    to    the    requisite    position    of    the    well    for   tapping    a 

supply;    and    even    expert    geologists    are    sometimes    at    fault    in 

locating   a    possible    source.      The    water,    when    found,    may    be 

impure    or   undrinkable,    or    may    require    to    be    pumped    up    into 

the    house.     For    pumping   an   automatic  hydraulic  ram  or  a  wind 

pump    can    sometimes    be    profitably    employed. 

Shallow  wells,  i.e.  wells  up  to  about  50  feet  deep,  are  liable 
to  pollution  from  the  percolation  of  filthy  liquids  from  the 
surrounding    soil. 

Water-finders  are  frequently  employed  to  discover  sources 
of  supply,  and  some  are  very  successful.  There  is  no  doubt 
that   certain   persons   are    susceptible   to   curious   sensations    when 

14 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

in  proximity  to  running  water ;  but  if  a  water-finder  be  employed, 
he  should  be  one  of  those  who  work  on  the  "  no  cure,  no 
pay "    principle,   i.e.   who    agrees    to    be    paid    by    results. 

For  convenience,  cleanliness,  and  beauty  of  effect, 
electric  light  is  undoubtedly  the  best  illuminant,  but 
in  country  districts  it  will  rarely  be  available,  and  even  if  a 
public  service  is  installed  it  may  be  considered  too  expensive 
to  use.  Very  frequently,  however,  this  light  can  be  obtained 
through  private  enterprise.  A  well-known  boat  builder  at  Goring- 
on-Thames  has  an  electrical  plant  installed  for  charging  electric 
launch  accumulators  and  lighting  his  yard  and  workshops,  and 
supplies,  I  believe,  a  number  of  houses  and  bungalows  in  his 
vicinity.  In  several  well  -  equipped  mills  electrical  plants  have 
been  installed  capable  of  lighting  not  only  the  mills  but  a 
number   of  private   consumers   as   well. 

If  no  public  or  private  supply  can  be  obtained  the  cottage 
builder  must  weigh  the  advantages  of  the  light  against  the  cost 
of  a  private  plant.  Possibly  if  he  has  neighbours  he  can  arrange 
to  supply  them  with  current,  and  so  obtain  some  additional 
return  on  his  outlay,  which  in  such  case  would  probably  be 
increased  by  the  necessarily  larger  plant.  He  must  also  consider 
the  wages  that  must  be  paid  to  a  skilled  electrician  to  take 
charge    of  the    plant. 

The  power  necessary  for  working  the  dynamo  (if  water 
power  is  not  available,  and  this  is  seldom  the  case)  may  be 
supplied  by  an  oil  engine,  a  gas  engine  using  coal  gas,  or  a 
gas  engine  using  producer  gas.  The  cost  of  such  a  plant  is 
necessarily  expensive,  and  it  is  very  doubtful  if  all  the  ad- 
vantages of  electric  light  justify  such  an  expenditure  for  lighting 
a    country   cottage. 

Generally  speaking,  the  oil-engine  plant  will  be  the  only 
one  practically  suitable  for  a  country  house.  A  gas  engine 
necessitates  a  gas  supply,  and  if  gas  is  available  it  would  not 
pay  to  instal  electric  light.  Producer  gas  necessitates  extra 
plant  and  labour.  There  are  two  or  three  good  types  of  oil 
engines  on  the  market ;  the  principle  of  them  is  that  of  the 
petrol  motor  car — vaporised  petroleum  and  air  are  ignited  by 
a  spark  from  an  electric  battery,  and  the  resulting  explosion 
gives    the    working   force. 

A  public  gas  supply,  though  exceedingly  useful  not  only 
for  lighting  but  cooking,  is  not  always  obtainable,  and,  like  the 
electric  light,  is  frequently  prohibitive  in  cost.  Five  shillings  a 
thousand  feet  is  not  an  uncommon  figure  in  country  villages ; 
but    even    at    this    price  it  may  pay  in  the  matter  of  convenience. 

As  week-end  cottages  and  country  homes  are  frequently 
only  used  in  the  summer  months  when  the  long  light  evenings 
do  not  necessitate  much  artificial  lighting,  the  expense  may 
prove  to  be  nothing  untoward ;  and  a  greater  check  may  be 
kept  on  the  expenditure  by  installing  the  light  in  the  sitting- 
rooms    and    kitchen    only,    candles    being   used    in    the    bedrooms. 

15 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

As    gas    in    bedrooms  is    regarded    by    many  doctors  as  unhealthy, 
this  little    economy    is    supported    by    sound    medical    opinion. 

Gas  fittings  are  now  very  much  improved,  and  the  use  of 
incandescent  burners  and  mantles  gives  not  only  greatly  increased 
lighting  power  but  reduces  the  consumption  of  gas.  With  the 
new  inverted  incandescent  gas  burners  decorative  effects  can  be 
obtained  as  with  the  electric  light ;  but  the  selection  of  these 
fittings  should  be  attended  with  circumspection,  for  in  many  of 
them  the  supply  pipe  is  heated  by  the  fumes  rising  from  the 
burner,  and  the  gas,  becoming  heated  and  rarefied,  begins  to 
"blow"  or  make  a  noise,  necessitating  a  frequent  adjustment 
of  the  supply  before  the  requisite  pressure  under  these  con- 
ditions   is    attained. 

Another  form  of  gas  lighting  which  has  made  considerable 
strides  for  country  house  lighting,  more  especially  on  the 
Continent  and  America,  is  acetylene.  Acetylene  is  made  by  the 
admixture  of  carbide  of  calcium  with  water.  This  is  a  par- 
ticularly useful  form  of  lighting  for  country  houses,  as  the  requisite 
plant  is  comparatively  inexpensive,  and  the  cottage  builder  can 
easily  make  his  own  illuminant  and  be  independent  of  everyone. 
But  it  is  essential  that  he  thoroughly  understands  what  he  is 
dealing  with  and  does  not  attempt  any  tricks  with  the  plant, 
for,  like  coal  gas,  it  is  extremely  explosive  when  mixed  with 
air  in  certain  proportions,  and  failure  to  appreciate  this  fact, 
or  carelessness  in  handling  the  plant,  has  led  to  several  fatal 
accidents  which  have  done  much  to  retard  the  use  of  the  light 
in    this    country. 

People  have  done  things  with  acetylene  that  they  would 
never  have  dreamt  of  doing  with  ordinary  coal  gas,  and  have 
suffered  accordingly.  Once  let  it  be  well  understood  that 
acetylene  must  be  treated  as  prudently  as  coal  gas,  and  danger 
will  be  practically  eliminated.  No  gas  escape  must  be  sought 
for  with    a  light. 

Lastly,  we  come  to  lamps.  There  is  little  that  need  be 
said  under  this  head,  except  that  a  cottage  to  be  lighted  by 
lamps  should  have  a  lamproom  in  one  of  the  outbuildings,  as 
it  is  impossible  to  avoid  spilling  the  oil  occasionally,  and  also 
the  oil  "  sweats "  through  the  material  of  the  best-made  lamps. 
This  lamproom  will  be  found  of  the  greatest  convenience  and 
service  for  trimming  the  lamps  and  storing  them  when  not 
in    use. 

drainage    ^^e    drainage    °f    the    country    cottage    is    a    matter 

that    very   greatly    concerns    the    comfort    and  health 

of  the    inmates,    and    the    term   must    be    understood    to  apply  not 

only    to    the    conveyance    away    of    slops     and    foul    matters    but 

also    to    any    necessary   drainage    of  the    site. 

It  has  previously  been  urged  that  wet  lands,  requiring  a 
proper  scheme  of ;  land  drainage  to  render  their  use  for  building 
possible,  should  be  avoided ;  but  in  many  cases,  on  an  otherwise 
irreproachable    site,    a    spring   or    underground    water-course    exists 

16 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

that  will  render  the  house  damp  unless  it  is  diverted.  In  other 
instances,  especially  in  the  case  of  agricultural  land,  there  are 
land  drains  in  existence  which  pass  under  the  proposed  site  of 
the  cottage,  and  it  is  desirable  that  such  drains  should  be 
intercepted  at  a  safe  distance  from  the  foundations  and  a  main 
intercepting  land  drain  put  in  to  convey  the  water  delivered  by 
the  subsidiary  drains  away  from  the  house.  Similarly,  when  a 
cottage  is  to  be  erected  on  a  slope  or  just  below  the  brow  of 
a  hill  it  is  very  desirable  that  the  higher  ground  should  be 
efficiently  land-drained  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  underground 
water   running    down    the    slope    into    the    foundations. 

The  cottage  builder  will  be  well-advised  to  collect  his  rain- 
water and  store  it  in  an  underground  tank  or  cistern,  which  may  be 
built  of  brick,  cemented  inside,  or  of  concrete.  To  do  this  a  separate 
drain,  distinct  from  that  for  the  foul  liquids,  should  be  laid  to  convey 
the  rain-water  from  the  various  down  pipes  into  the  cistern.  A 
pump  connected  with  this  cistern  is  usually  fixed  in  the  scullery. 
Ladies  greatly  appreciate  rain-water  for  ablutionary  purposes  on 
account  of  its  "  softness,"  and,  even  if  not  desired  for  this  purpose, 
it  will  be  valuable  for  garden  watering.  Country  water  supplies  are 
not  usually  over  generous  in  the  matter  of  quantity  per  head  per 
day.  The  first  washings  of  the  roof  during  the  rain  are  generally 
very  dirty,  but  there  is  an  ingenious  kind  of  rain-water  filter  on  the 
market  which  diverts  the  first  part  of  the  rainfall  into  the  foul-water 
drains,  and  only  allows  the  clean  water  to  enter  the  storage  cistern. 

In  districts  where  by-laws  are  enforced  a  man  need  not  connect 
his  drains  with  a  public  sewer  if  the  nearest  part  of  his  grounds  (not 
his  house  merely)  is  over  ioo  feet  away  from  such  sewer;  if  any  part 
of  his  garden  is  within  that  distance  he  can  be  compelled  to  do  so, 
even  if  the  distance  of  the  house  is  much  more  than  ioo  feet. 

The  difficulties  of  sewage  disposal  are  many  and  various.  A 
Royal  Commission  has  been  engaged  for  over  seven  years  in  an 
extended  inquiry  and  research  into  the  question  of  sewage  disposal, 
and  its  final  report  has  not  yet  been  published. 

the  chfap  e    dearth    of    country    cottages,    which    the     social 

™tt*<~o        reformer  and  the  rural  homeseeker  both  deplore,  seems 

COTTAGE.  ...     ,  ,  ...  ■         i  r 

likely  to  become  still  more  acute  in  the  near  future. 
The  exhibition  at  Letchworth  in  1905  was  held  mainly  to  interest 
the  philanthropist,  the  country  landowner,  and  all  those  seeking  to 
improve  the  housing  conditions  of  the  agricultural  workers.  But  it 
was  noticeable,  and  even  remarked  by  some  of  the  exhibitors,  that 
the  bulk  of  the  visitors  were  hardly  to  be  included  with  the  above 
classes,  and  from  this  it  can  safely  be  inferred  that  many  of  those 
who  journeyed  down  to  the  Garden  City  were  of  the  well-to-do  or 
professional  classes  ascertaining  what  kind  of  a  country  home  they 
could  acquire  for  ^150. 

It  was  unfortunate  that  the  glamour  of  the  ^150  cottage  obscured 
all  other  issues,  for  if  there  was  one  thing  the  exhibition  did  not 
disclose  it  was  a  cottage  that  could  be  built  for  £150.  In  some  cases 
that  sum   covered  the   bare   cost  of  materials  ;    in   more   numerous 

C  17 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

cases  not  even  that.  So  that  when  the  exhibitors  of  these  homes 
were  asked  to  plant  replicas  of  them  on  the  sides  of  Welsh  hills  and 
in  sylvan  spots  remote  from  railway  stations,  together  with  fences  of 
unknown  extent,  a  water  supply,  and  a  complete  drainage  system, 
they  very  naturally  refused,  and  applicants  went  away  feeling  that 
the  whole  exhibition  was  more  or  less  of  a  farce.  Probably  the 
nearest  cottage  to  the  ^150  limit  was  that  of  Mr.  A.  H.  Clough,  of 
Ringwood,  Hants,  the  cost  of  which  is  certified  at  ^135  ;  but  this  has 
only  been  accomplished  on  his  own  estate,  and  by  the  exercise  of 
considerable  opportunism  in  buying  materials. 

The  fascination  of  the  picturesque  old  country  cottage  still 
exercises  considerable  sway.  The  white  walls,  thatched  roofs,  rose- 
covered  porch,  and  flower-filled  garden,  make  an  instant  appeal  to 
the  English  heart.  To  many  people  it  seems  an  ideal  plan  to  acquire 
a  block  of  two  or  three  such  cottages,  knock  them  into  one,  and 
make  of  them  a  new  and  improved  home.  The  only  advice  one  can 
give  in  such  a  matter  is  that  of  Mr.  Punch — "  Don't."  Old  thatched 
cottages  are  queer  things  :  once  you  begin  to  pull  them  about  they 
go  to  pieces.  And  once  the  pulling  about  commences,  what  irre- 
sistible opportunities  for  improvement  appear  !  A  little  wing  out  in 
this  direction,  a  new  bay  in  that,  a  new  thatched  roof  that  doesn't 
leak,  damp  courses  (and  they  are  considered  essential  nowadays), 
new  casements,  doors  that  fit  passably  into  their  frames,  and  so  on. 
And  the  final  cost  is  four  times  what  was  anticipated,  whatever  was 
formerly  picturesque  has  been  eliminated,  and  if  the  builder  has  left 
aught  of  the  flower-filled  garden  or  the  rose-covered  porch  the  owner 
can  account  himself  uncommonly  lucky. 

No ;  the  old  cottage  is  best  left  to  itself.  Modern  country 
cottages  can  be  built  for  less  money,  can  be  made  quite  as  pic- 
turesque, and  the  porch  and  the  well-filled  garden  are  growths  of  a 
single  season.  Moreover,  the  rooms  can  be  fitted  to  one's  ideas,  not 
one's  ideas  to  the  rooms. 

some  The    plann'n.?    °f    country    cottages    demands    most 

general       careful    attention,   and    requires    unusual    skill    on   the 

notes.  Part  °f  the  architect,  who,  in  too  many  instances,  has 

his  reputation  very  much  at  the  mercy  of  his  client. 

For  clients  are  very  apt  nowadays  to  expect  a  considerable  amount 

of  accommodation  for  a  very  small  amount  of  money ;  and  when  the 

drawings  have  been  prepared  showing  their  little  ideas  and  fads  as 

to  decoration  and  fitments,  to  express  astonishment  at  the  probable 

cost,  which  is  so  much  more  than  the  cost  oi  the  cottages  of  Mr.  A. 

and  Mr.  B.  whom  they  know. 

The  average  ciient  is  very  apt  to  base  his  ideas  of  a  home  on 
the  combined  advantages  and  features  of  four  or  five  houses  that  he 
knows  or  has  visited.  Thus  the  house  of  A.  is  small,  but  beautifully 
fitted  up  with  oak-panelled  rooms,  marble  bathroom,  &c.  ;  the  house 
of  B.  has  much  greater  accommodation,  but  is  very  plainly  fitted, 
and  the  woodwork  is  only  painted  deal.  Your  client  conceives  a 
home  having  the  accommodation  owned  by  B.  with  the  decorative 
effects  possessed  by  A.,  and  cannot  quite  see  why  the  cost  is  so  much 

18 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES 

greater  than  the  respective  costs  of  the  houses  of  either  A.  or  B. 
Another  error  into  which  intending  cottage  builders  are  sometimes 
apt  to  fall  is  to  base  their  ideas  on  the  known  cost  of  cottages  built 
twenty  years  ago.  The  fact  that  the  cost  of  building  has  risen 
about  30  per  cent,  in  that  time  proves  the  fallacy  of  any  such 
calculation. 

In  other  cases  the  client  is  rather  too  ready  to  build  a  house 
with  accommodation  that  does  not  really  suit  him  because  he  knows 
the  price.  There  is  a  desire  for  the  "  all  goods  marked  in  plain 
figures  "  kind  of  dealing,  arising  mainly  from  a  certain  timidity  as  to 
the  possible  cost  if  an  original  design  is  commissioned. 

To  mention  one  other  type  of  client,  there  is  the  man  who, 
having  a  certain  amount  of  money  to  spend,  does  not  quite  know 
what  to  do  with  it.  As  an  instance,  I  may  quote  from  a  letter 
recently  received.  "  Approximately,"  says  the  writer,  "  the  value  of 
the  house  I  propose  to  put  up  would  be  ^1,500,  exclusive  of  the  land, 
and  I  should  like  to  get  the  very  best  model  to  work  from."  Here 
we  have  a  genuine  case  of  a  man  in  difficulty  ;  but  the  mere  state- 
ment of  his  trouble  does  not  enable  us  to  help  him  very  much. 
What  kind  of  a  house  does  he  want  ?  what  accommodation  is  to  be 
provided  ?  what  exterior  treatment  does  he  desire  ?  All  these  are 
pertinent  questions  upon  which  information  must  be  vouchsafed 
before  an  opinion  can  be  given. 

The  sum  named  should  afford  a  moderate-sized  and  comfort- 
able kind  of  home.  If  the  writer  requires  eight  bedrooms  and  three 
sitting-rooms  the  problem  becomes  more  difficult ;  but  the  thing  can 
still  be  done,  though  the  materials  must  be  of  the  plainest  and  most 
economical  description.  If  only  four  bedrooms  are  necessary,  we 
may  be  able  to  afford  oak  panelling  in  the  dining-room,  better 
chimney  -  pieces  throughout,  and  so  on.  The  accommodation 
required  is  the  most  important  factor  to  be  considered,  and 'next 
to  that  the  materials  it  is  desired  to  use,  not  forgetting  the  distance 
the  latter  have  to  be  conveyed  from  the  station  or  builder's  yard. 

In  America  there  are  one  or  two  building  corporations  who 
specialise  in  what  they  term  "  building  organisation."  The  modus 
operandi  is  simple.  You  save  up  your  $5,000,  $10,000,  or  $20,000 
as  the  case  may  be,  and  you  march  into  the  office  of  a  building 
corporation  and  demand  a  house.  You  give  them  particulars  of  the 
site  you  have  purchased,  ask  for  a  house  with  so  many  rooms, 
possibly  you  stipulate  for  a  certain  treatment,  and  you  wind  up  by 
mentioning  your  impending  six  months'  holiday,  at  the  conclusion  of 
which  the  house  must  be  finished  for  immediate  occupation.  And 
finished  it  is.  The  corporation  turns  on  its  great  organisation — 
the  surveyors  who  measure  up  and  plot  out  the  ground,  the  "  tame  " 
architect  who  designs  the  buildings,  the  decorators  who  carry  out  the 
interior  fittings,  the  plumbing  and  heating  engineers  who  plan  out 
those  necessary  equipments,  the  furnishing  experts  who  make  the 
rooms  habitable,  and  the  garden  architects  who  construct  a  natural 
paradise  to  surround  you.  Invigorated  by  your  European  trip  "  you 
pay  your  money  and  you  takes  " — the  company's  choice. 

19 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

To  the  American  who  is  persuaded  that  life  was  meant  but 
for  the  making  of  money  in  an  office  this  method  may  appear 
reasonable  and  sound.  To  the  average  Englishman  it  must  seem 
very  much  like  buying  ready-made  clothing — it  may  fit  you  or  it  may 
not.  A  house  in  the  construction  of  which  no  whim  or  aspiration 
of  your  own  has  had  its  influence  will  hardly  appeal  to  the  average 
man  as  a  home.  But  in  the  States  these  organisations  flourish. 
Over  it  all  is  the  trail  of  the  dollar.  Your  agreement  provides  that 
you  want  such  and  such  accommodation,  and  you  are  to  pay  so 
much  for  it.  That  sum  you  pay — no  more  and  no  less.  But  if  you 
want  a  good  deal  for  your  money,  or  the  organisation  makes  a 
mistake  in  its  calculations,  it  would  be  interesting  to  know  how  and 
where  things  are  cut  down  to  fit.  And  perhaps  it  were  well  not  to 
inquire  too  closely. 

Another  American  idea  is  the  book  of  plans.  Here  it  is  con- 
sidered unbecoming,  in  a  professional  sense,  for  an  architect  to 
advertise  ;  in  America  thousands  of  architects  do  so  without  any 
detriment  to  their  professional  status.  The  advertisement  may 
take  the  form  of  the  simple  "  business  card,"  but  more  often  it 
is  the  publication  of  a  portfolio  of  designs  for  houses  costing 
from  $1,600  to  $25,000,  or  some  higher  sum.  Therein  are  to  be 
found  plans  for  houses  of  all  shapes  and  sizes,  accompanied  by 
detailed  particulars  and  a  draft  specification  upon  which  prices  can 
be  obtained  direct  from  any  local  builder.  The  cost  of  such  port- 
folios may  be  anything  from  $5  to  $50,  and  whether  the  author- 
architect  intends  to  make  a  living  by  the  sale  of  these  portfolios,  or 
whether  he  hopes  that  the  inexperienced  building  owner  will  be 
constrained  to  drift  into  his  office  and  entrust  him  to  superintend 
the  carrying  out  of  a  design,  is  a  moot  point.  The  satisfaction  of 
living  in  a  home  exactly  similar  to  the  dwellings  of  nine  hundred 
and  ninety-nine  other  men  can  hardly  be  very  profound.  Thousands 
of  Englishmen  do  so,  of  course,  but  hardly  from  choice  so  much  as 
necessity. 

On  the  relative  advantages  of  a  freehold  site  or  a  build- 
and  lease-  *n8  lease  there  can,  I  think,  be  little  difference  of 
hold  sites-  opinion.  At  first  sight  the  small  amount  of  ground  rent 
to  be  paid  may  seem  a  considerable  advantage  compared 
with  the  large  capital  sum  to  be  expended  in  a  freehold  purchase. 
On  the  other  hand  ground  landlords  are  apt,  nowadays,  to  be  fairly 
stringent  in  the  terms  of  their  leases,  and  require  very  substantial 
buildings  to  be  erected  of  a  certain  value,  the  plans  for  which  must 
also  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  their  surveyors,  so  that,  considered 
in  all  its  bearings,  the  building  lease  may  not  turn  out  to  be  so 
advantageous  as  at  first  appeared.  The  ground  landlord's  con- 
ditions are  very  natural ;  it  obviously  does  not  pay  him  to  lose 
control  of  his  land  for  80  to  99  years  for  a  very  small  rental,  if  at 
the  end  of  that  period  the  building  erected  is  practically  worn  out 
and  useless.  And  of  the  present  age  it  can  hardly  be  said  that  it 
builds  for  posterity.  Building  for  posterity  is  much  too  expensive, 
nowadays. 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

Moreover,  there  are  other  factors  which  point  to  a  freehold  as 
more  desirable.  First,  we  are  dealing  with  land  in  the  country  which 
is  cheap,  and  not  with  an  expensive  site  in  a  town  or  city ;  and 
secondly,  the  country  cottage  is  rarely  a  speculation.  A  building 
lease  may  be  desirable  to  a  speculator  who  is  going  to  sell  his  interest 
on  completion  of  the  house,  or  who  reckons  on  getting  his  money  back 
out  of  the  tenants.  But  the  average  cottage  is  usually  the  outcome 
of  the  desire  of  some  individual  to  live  in  the  country.  Lastly,  if  the 
builder  ever  desires  to  sell,  a  freehold  cottage  will  command  a  better 
and  readier  sale  than  a  leasehold  one.  It  must  not  be  forgotten  that 
most  leasehold  property,  after  thirty  years,  diminishes  in  value,  and 
for  the  last  twenty  years  is  worth  practically  nothing,  because  of  the 
inevitable  bill  of  dilapidations  that  must  be  met  when  the  place  is 
surrendered  to  the  ground  landlord.  "  It  will  last  my  time  "  is, 
however,  a  very  favourite  argument  with  some  people,  and  the  building 
lease  is  likely,  therefore,  to  continue  in  favour  despite  the  disad- 
vantages cited. 

If  the  purchase  of  an  existing  cottage  is  contemplated  it  is  well  to 
seek  the  advice  of  a  competent  surveyor.  His  opinion  on  the  value 
of  the  property  and  a  solicitor's  as  to  the  validity  of  the  title  are  both 
essential  before  a  bargain  is  struck.  For  those  to  whom  the  purchase 
money  is  a  consideration  there  are  societies  who  advance  the  purchase 
money  on  mortgage  if  the  property  is  approved  by  them  ;  which 
mortgage  is  paid  off  in  the  shape  of  rent.  These,  I  am  told,  carry 
out  their  bargains  fairly,  but  the  financial  papers  almost  invariably 
condemn  them.  And  it  is  doubtful  if  they  can  or  would  do  more  than 
one's  own  solicitor. 

If  a  cottage  is  to  be  rented  it  is  better  to  arrange  a  "  seven  or 
fourteen  years'  "  lease  than  to  take  on  a  three  years'  agreement.  The 
"  seven  or  fourteen  years'  "  lease  confers  a  double  advantage  on  the 
lessee.  If  he  tires  of  the  cottage  he  can  sub-let  for  the  remainder  of 
the  term  up  to  seven  years  ;  if  he  desires  to  stay  he  has  the  advantage 
of  the  full  fourteen  years.  A  lease  is  also  a  safeguard  if  one  con- 
templates expending  any  money  on  the  house  or  garden,  and  the 
rental  should  be  less  than  on  an  agreement.  But  the  question  of 
spending  money  on  other  people's  property  should  be  very  fully 
considered  before  such  expenditure  is  incurred. 

Quite  recently  some  enthusiasts  explained  the  inception  and 
realisation  of  their  country  home  for  the  benefit  of  the  readers  of  one 
of  the  sixpenny  weeklies.  Certainly  the  place,  as  shown  in  the 
photographic  views,  deserved  all  their  encomiums.  But  the  financial 
side  was  far  less  alluring.  They  had  found  a  farm  cottage,  derelict 
and  overrun  with  rats,  in  Hampshire.  This,  with  two  acres  of  arable 
land,  they  leased  for  seven  or  fourteen  years,  at  an  annual  rental  of 
^32  a  year.  For  such  property  this  seems  a  very  heavy  rent  to  pay 
on  lease.  Then  they  expended  £500  on  putting  the  house  in  order 
and  making  the  garden.  Calculating  the  interest  on  this  capital  sum 
at  5  per  cent.,  which  is  low  for  building  operations,  they  were  paying 
an  annual  charge  of  ^57  a  year  for  rent  and  interest  on  capital — 
a    perfectly    preposterous    sum.      And    at    the    end    of  the    fourteen 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

years  the  whole  place  reverted  to  the  landlord,  with  all  the  attractions 
and  advantages  which  their  money  and  effort  had  created. 

"  An  ill-favoured  thing,  sir,  but  mine  own,"  is  certainly  a  better 
maxim  than  "  A  fine  thing,  sir,  but  my  landlord's,"  and  the  cottage 
builder  should  remember  it. 

All  legal  documents  should  be  supervised  and  approved  by  a 
lawyer.  Estate  agents  keep  printed  forms  of  agreement  which  are 
very  easy  to  sign,  but  very  often  contain  conditions  difficult  to 
observe.  It  is  almost  needless  to  add  that  such  agreements  are  more 
generous  to  the  agent's  client,  the  landlord,  than  to  the  prospective 
tenant. 

As  a  last  reminder  ascertain  how  much  in  the  pound  the  rates 
are  before  settling  in  any  district.  Even  country  districts  can  give 
some  unpleasant  surprises  in  this  respect. 


CHAPTER  II. 

TREATMENT    OF    EXTERIORS    AND    INTERIORS FITTINGS DECORATION. 

Having  acquired  our  site,  the  next  consideration  must  be  the  placing 
of  our  dwelling  upon  it,  and  to  do  this  satisfactorily  is  not  quite  so 
easy  as  would  appear.  The  nature  of  the  surrounding  country  will 
demand  a  certain  treatment  for  the  house.  A  house  set  among  strong 
tall  trees  will  require  strong,  broad  detail  to  give  it  individuality ;  a 
flat  and  somewhat  bare  site  will  be  better  suited  with  a  long  low 
dwelling  having  sweeping  lines ;  a  rocky  site  naturally  suggests  a 
stone  house  with  strong  lines,  and  so  on.  This  is,  however,  more  a 
question  for  the  architect,  but  the  cottage  builder  would  do  well  to 
remember  that  the  architect,  as  an  artist,  has  to  consider  these  points, 
and  that  the  ultimate  artistic  effect  may  largely  depend  on  his  capa- 
bilities for  proper  treatment. 

Not  only,  however,  does  the  nature  of  the  surrounding  country 
suggest  a  certain  treatment  for  the  house,  but  the  nature  of  the  site 
and  its  configuration  will  dictate  to  a  certain  extent  the  disposition  of 
the  house  with  regard  to  the  site. 

It  is  presumed  that  the  site  has  been  selected  with  certain  ideas 
as  to  points  of  view  and  aspect ;  these  must  be  enhanced  as  far  as 
possible  in  arranging  the  house  on  the  ground.  It  must  be  decided 
whether  the  plan  shall  be  straight  or  square,  or  whether  it  shall  be 
built  round  an  angle.  If  the  ground  area  is  comparatively  small  an 
endeavour  must  be  made  to  utilise  it  to  the  best  advantage  ;  the 
planting  of  the  house  in  the  middle  of  it  will  mean  much  waste  of 
garden  space,  which  might  be  avoided  by  placing  the  house  in  one 
corner.  The  two  diagrams  on  the  following  page  will  show  more 
clearly  perhaps  what  is  meant.  This  question  is  also  one  for  the 
architect,  but  the  cottage  builder  will  be  able  to  appreciate  the 
necessity  for  its  consideration. 

When  the  arrangement  of  the  house  with  regard  to  the  site  has 
been  thought  out  the  architect  will  begin  to  settle  more  particularly 
the  actual  outlines  of  his  plan  and  the  position  of  his  rooms.  By  this 
time  he  will  have  formed  a  rough  mental  picture  of  the  house  as  it 
will  appear.  He  now  has  to  fit  in  the  accommodation  required  on 
two  or  more  floors,  and  the  planning  of  all  floors  should  be  done  at 
the  same  time,  so  that  alterations  can  be  made  in  one  or  the  other 
as  may  be  found  necessary  to  obtain  the  best  result. 

I  would  not  like  to  say  that  all  architects  follow  this  course,  as  all 
have  their  individual  methods  of  work.  In  some  cases  it  is  impossible 
to  resist  the  conclusion  that  the  ground  floors  of  some  houses  have 

23 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

occupied  all  their  designers'  attention  and  the  bedrooms  have  been 
left  to  "  go  hang."  In  other  cases  it  is  palpable  that  everything  has 
been  sacrificed  to  exterior  effect.  I  am  merely  indicating  a  some- 
what golden  rule  for  planning;  one  which  may  involve  several 
attempts  before  a  final  and  satisfactory  solution  suggests  itself. 
The  old  idea  of  planning  a  wall  over  a  wall,  and  voids  over  voids,  is 
no  longer  rigidly  adhered  to,  though  there  is  much  to  be  said  for  it. 
Beams  and  steel  joists  will  carry  walls  over  spaces  so  that  bed- 
room floors  need  not,  and  rarely  do  nowadays,  actually  present  the 
same  outlines  as  the  floors  below  them.     But  a  bedroom  floor  which 


K'hAen 

Off<« 


-r>     JZ  ^    -Divine 
;<      /&07TI 


Room  ■ 


Dintrjy 
J\O0?n 

'/knfy 


S/ldy]  h<*U\  farcin 


§^™^1 


memmsm.  ^tmmn.  i 


THE 
TREATMENT 

OF 
EXTERIORS. 


Diagrams  showing  a  wasteful  and  economical  utilisation  of  a  site.  Though  the  dwelling  in  the 
second  case  is  much  nearer  the  road,  privacy  and  quiet  are  assured  by  placing  the  sitting 
rooms  at  the  back. 

practically  dispenses  with  the  support  of  the  ground  floor  partition 
walls  can  hardly  be  defended  from  the  imputation  of  bad  planning. 

The  staircase  necessarily  forms  the  pivot  of  the  plan.  It  is  the 
fixed  point  in  both  floors,  from  which  the  rest  of  the  space  is  worked 
out. 

Having  reached  the  point  where  the  plan  has  practically 
been  worked  out,  the  treatment  of  the  exterior  elevations 
must  now  engage  attention.  In  reality  the  plans  and 
exterior  and  interior  elevations  are  so  intimately  con- 
nected that  the  architect  cannot  really  consider  them  otherwise  than 
as  a  whole,  but  for  the  layman  it  is  more  convenient  to  take  the  points 
one  by  one. 

The  exterior  elevations  then  should  simply  and  straightforwardly 
arise  out  of  the  plan.  There  should  be  an  entire  absence  of  con- 
structed decoration  ;  that  is  to  say,  an  absence  of  unnecessary 
features  constructed  solely  for  effect.  In  this  connection  I  have  more 
than  once  commented  severely  on  the  buttress,  which  is  character- 
istic of  so  many  modern  cottages.  In  the  old  Gothic  Cathedrals  the 
buttress  performed  a  very  vital  and  important  work  ;  in  fact,  the 
buttress  was  almost  the  keynote  in  cathedral  construction.  By  means 
of  flying  buttresses  the  thrust  of  the  often  heavy  and  elaborate 
nave  roof,  placed  on  high  and  comparatively  thin  clerestory  walls, 


24 


THE     PRIZE        £150     COTTAGE'1     AT     LETCHWORTH. 
PERCY  B.    HOUFTON,    Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  and  roofed  with  tiles.     Wooden  casement  windows.     Woodwork  of 
deal,  painted  green  outside.     Cost,  including  builder's  profit,  etc.,  about  /175.     See  p.  59. 


D 


25 


BUNGALOW     TO     COST     £200— £230.       Specially    DESIGNED    FOR    MESSRS.    OETZMANN    &    Co. 
WW,    HENRY    WHITE,    Architect. 

Built  in  brick,  rough-cast,  with  red-tiled  roof,  wrought-iron  casements  with  leaded  lights.     See  p.  60. 


26 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

was  transmitted  over  the  aisle  roofs  on  to  the  massive  buttresses  on 
the  exterior  aisle  walls,  and  the  nave  roof  was  thus  directly  buttressed 
from  the  ground  on  either  side. 

In  the  modern  cottage  the  buttress  performs  no  such  useful 
function.  In  such  structures  there  is  practically  no  thrust  to  be 
resisted  that  cannot  adequately  be  taken  by  the  exterior  walls. 
That  these  buttresses  are  constructed  mainly  for  decorative  effect 
is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  as  often  as  not,  they  are  placed  where 
no  possible  thrust  is  likely  to  occur.  It  has  been  humorously 
observed  that  these  buttresses  are  introduced  to  provide  shelter  for 
the  young  creepers  planted  to  grow  up  the  cottage  walls ;  but  even 
if  this  explanatory  sarcasm  were  true  some  less  expensive  method 
could  be  devised  for  the  end  in  view  without  incurring  the  expense  of 
a  useless  and  unnecessary  decorative  feature. 

The  keynote  of  the  country  cottage  should  be  simplicity.  Many 
bays,  gables,  and  wings  generally,  cost  more  than  their  effect  warrants, 
and  if  the  house  is  small  will  necessarily  look  trivial  and  small  also. 
Breadth  of  effect  is  by  no  means  impossible  in  a  small  house,  but  the 
attempt  to  crowd  into  it  all  the  features  of  a  large  mansion  invariably 
ends  in  disaster  both  to  convenience  and  artistic  effect. 

A  plain  roof  is  one  of  the  most  economical  features  in  a  country 
cottage ;  once  you  begin  to  throw  out  bays  and  patch  on  gables  you 
incur  heavy  and  unnecessary  expenditure  in  your  roofing.  More 
beauty  can  be  secured  by  a  well-proportioned  plain  roof  with  well- 
placed  and  finely  designed  chimney  stacks  than  with  any  number  of 
elaborate  gables  and  decorated  barge  boards. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  as  the  by-laws  have  practically  killed 
thatch  they  have  also  killed  the  thatcher.  At  least  his  occupation  in 
thatching  houses  is  practically  gone.  Builders  who  have  contracted 
to  build  thatched  cottages  are  often  hard  put  to  find  a  competent 
man  to  do  the  roof,  and  when  found  he  often  has  to  be  imported  from 
a  long  distance.  Thatch  is  a  light  material,  and  the  roof  timbers 
may  consequently  be  smaller  and  fewer  in  number  than  with  tiles 
or  slates.  It  is  also  a  good  non-conductor,  and  keeps  a  house  warm 
in  winter  and  cool  in  summer.  At  a  time  like  the  present,  when  bed- 
rooms are  so  often  constructed  wholly  or  partly  in  the  roof,  this  is 
a  great  recommendation.  The  principal  drawback  is  a  certain 
amount  of  danger  from  fire,  which  is  greater  in  the  case  of  new  roofs 
^than  old  ones,  as  the  old  surfaces  are  usually  protected  by  mosses 
and  vegetable  growth,  but  the  insurance  rates  for  thatched  cottages 
are  considerably  higher  than  for  tiled  or  slated  dwellings.  Where 
by-laws  are  in  existence  thatch  is  usually  prohibited. 

The  arrangement  of  the  rooms  so  that  the  chimney  flues  can  be 
collected  into  one  or  two  large  stacks  not  only  tends  to  economy,  but 
also  greatly  increases  the  possibility  of  artistic  effect.  A  number  of 
small,  spidery  chimney  stacks  make  breadth  of  effect  quite  impossible. 
Chimney  stacks  are  better  placed  at  the  ridge  of  the  roof  than  on  the 
slopes,  and  centre  stacks  as  a  rule  look  better  than  stacks  at  either 
end.  The  doll's  house  with  the  door  in  the  centre,  a  window  on 
either  side,  three  windows  above  them,  and  a  chimney  at  either  end, 


27 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

is  a  type  of  cottage  to  be  shunned.     It  aftords  pleasure  only  to  the 
infantile  mind. 

A  confused  mixture  of  materials  is  also  a  thing  to  be  avoided.  It 
is  no  uncommon  thing,  nowadays,  to  see  brick,  rough-cast,  wall-tiling, 
half-timber  work,  weather-boarding,  and  two  kinds  of  roofing  in  one 
single  cottage,  for  all  the  world  as  if  the  builder  had  used  up  the 
odd  lots  of  material  in  his  yard.  Wall-tiling  and  brick  consort  well 
together;  half-timber  and  brick  make  another  scheme,  and  rough- 
cast may  be  employed  for  the  panels  between  the  timbers,  but 
wall-tiling  is  best  left  out.  Tarred  weather-boarding  and  brick 
look  well  together,  and  wall-tiling  may  be  added ;  but  rough-cast 
will  not  improve  the  scheme.  As  regards  the  roof,  tiling  is  pre- 
eminently the  best  material  for  country  cottages,  unless  the  building 
is  being  erected  in  a  stone  country,  when  stone  tiling  may  take  its 
place  ;  but  stone  tiles  should  not  be  used  on  a  brick  building.  Slates 
should  never  be  used  in  the  country  except  in  a  slate  district,  and 
then  only  with  stone  or  rough-cast  walls.  Brick  and  slate  cottages 
in  a  country  district  give  the  most  dreary  and  "  barracky  "  appear- 
ance to  a  cottage  that  it  is  possible  to  conceive. 

Whenever  possible  the  local  natural  materials  should  be 
employed,  and  a  fairly  rigid  application  of  this  rule  will  invariably 
tend  to  good  effect.  Rough-cast  is  a  very  safe  and  effective  finish 
in  any  locality,  in  fact,  "  When  in  doubt  use  rough-cast  "  might 
almost  be  made  a  new  proverbial  phrase. 

But  it  should  be  carefully  done ;  rough-cast  in  which  the 
shingle  appears  to  have  arrived  by  accident  has  no  place  in  the 
scheme  of  things.  The  rough-cast  may  either  be  left  plain  or  lime- 
whited,  according  to  taste,  but  the  whitened  wall  usually  gives  the 
better  effect. 

Half-timber  work  is  one  of  the  most  abused  methods  of  building 
now  extant.  The  beautiful  effects  achieved  by  its  use  in  former 
times  can  be  seen  in  many  counties,  notably  in  Kent,  Warwickshire, 
and  Worcestershire.  But  the  beauty  obtained  by  sound  and  honest 
workmanship  is  rarely  seen  nowadays.  Half-timber  should  be  a 
substantial  framework,  consisting  of  uprights  tenoned  into  horizontal 
sills  and  heads,  which  in  their  turn  are  secured  to  substantial  corner 
posts,  the  framework  being  strengthened  by  diagonal  pieces.  These 
diagonals  were  usually  curved  in  the  old  work,  and  these  curved 
pieces  are  best  if  they  are  so  grown.  The  tenons  should  not  run 
through  the  timbers,  but  be  secured  by  wooden  pins,  the  heads  of 
which  are  left  projecting.  All  the  timbers  should  be  left  rough  from 
the  saw — -they  are  better  if  only  roughly  squared — and  are  simply 
treated  with  boiled  oil  or  thin  tar.  The  joints  should  be  made  with 
a  mixture  of  red  and  white  lead,  rendered  workable  with  a  small 
amount  of  boiled  oil.  In  the  old  work  the  spaces  between  the 
timbers  were  filled  with  brick,  usually  set  on  edge  and  left  plain,  or 
covered  with  plaster.  In  some  cases  the  plaster  panels  were  the 
object  of  interesting  decorative  work  by  the  local  plasterer. 

Modern  half-timber,  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten,  consists  of  thin 
slats  of  carefully  planed  timber  nailed  to  the  brick  wall  and  provided 

28 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

with  projecting  pin-heads,  the  brickwork  showing  between  the  slats 
being  covered  with  rough-cast  or  plaster  in  imitation  of  the  old 
work.  The  whole  thing  is  a  disgusting  sham  for  which  no  possible 
or  valid  excuse  can  be  advanced. 

Too  careful  and  precise  a  finish  to  the  exterior  walls  rarely  looks 
well ;  on  the  other  hand,  the  studied  roughness  and  uncouth  appear- 
ance often  aimed  at  nowadays  is  irritating  to  the  intelligence, 
as  well  as  an  insult  to  modern  workmanship. 

Americans,  judged  by  their  technical  press  and  writers,  have 
generally  recognised  the  superiority  of  English  domestic  work  over 
similar  work  in  their  own  country,  and  in  simplicity,  absence  of 
ostentation,  picturesqueness  combined  with  a  real  sense  of  home, 
the  English  cottage,  in  the  main,  has  qualities  that  cannot  be 
assailed.  But  too  often  this  exterior  charm  is  effected  at  the  expense 
of  considerable  interior  convenience. 

The  verandah  is  becoming  one  of  the  most  important  adjuncts  to 
the  English  cottage  home.  One  could  wish,  however,  that,  generally 
speaking,  its  treatment  was  a  little  happier.  The  unfortunate  little 
roof  supported  on  skeleton  posts  (painted  white)  has  an  uncomfort- 
able feeling  that  is  frequently  enhanced  by  its  being  seemingly  stuck 
on  to  the  main  building  as  an  afterthought.  The  satisfactory 
arrangement  of  a  verandah  requires  some  effort  on  the  part  of  the 
architect,  and  in  most  of  the  successful  cases  it  will  be  found  that 
the  verandah  forms  an  integral  part  of  the  building,  and,  in  fact, 
might  more  properly  be  called  a  loggia. 

In  area,  too,  the  verandah  is  now  made  more  extensive  than  it 
used  to  be,  and  in  particular  the  depth  is  greater.  No  doubt  the 
advantage  of  the  South  African  stoep  as  an  open-air  living-room 
has  impressed  itself  on  the  minds  of  most  of  us,  and  in  some  of  the 
modern  country  cottages  the  kitchen  is  planned  to  open  on  to  the 
verandah  so  that  meals  can  be  served  there  in  hot  weather  if  desired. 
It  need  hardly  be  added  that  the  roof  of  a  verandah  to  be  used  in 
this  way  must  be  something  better  than  the  metal  abominations  of 
our  forefathers.  One  might  just  as  well  be  grilled  in  the  open  as 
under  a  tin  plate. 

Balconies  are  almost  equally  difficult  to  place  satisfactorily. 
The  speculative  builder  is  exceedingly  fond  of  them,  and  they 
blossom  all  over  his  buildings  in  amazing  fret-wood  designs,  usually 
too  small  to  hold  anything  but  flower-pots,  and  without  any  means 
of  access.  A  long  continuous  balcony  may  be  rather  a  nuisance,  as 
it  may  be  embarrassing  to  the  occupants  of  the  bedrooms  to  have 
people  passing  and  repassing  their  windows.  But  a  small  balcony  to 
a  boudoir  may  be  very  much  appreciated,  and  a  balcony  opening  oft 
an  upper  landing  or  corridor  forms  a  very  enjoyable  sitting  place  to 
command  a  good  view. 

In  the  arrangement  of  the  interior  much  depends 
on  the   accommodation  to    be  provided,   and  the 

of  interiors         ^^e  °^  nouse — whether  it  is  designed  for  a  per- 
manent country  home  or  merely  for  week-ends  or 
the  summer  months.      In  the    simplest    form    of  week-end    cottage 

29 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

there  is  one  large  living  room  with  single  fireplace,  a  small  kitchen 
and  scullery,  or  kitchen-scullery  and  offices,  on  the  ground-floor. 
Above  may  be  three  or  four  bedrooms  and  bathroom.  This  type  of 
cottage  in  a  slightly  larger  form  may  have  another  sitting-room,  and 
where  money  will  allow,  I  think  it  is  advisable  to  include  this  extra 
sitting-room,  as  the  arrival  of  a  visitor  rather  places  the  family  in 
difficulties,  there  being  but  the  one  room  into  which  he  can  be 
invited.  This  smaller  sitting-room  is  most  usefully  situated  in 
close  proximity  to  the  main  entrance,  so  that  it  can  be  used  as  a 
reception-room. 

There  are  certain  elementary  rules  in  the  planning  of  all  houses, 
large  or  small,  which  may  be  briefly  catalogued.  The  principal 
rooms  will  face  south  or  west ;  the  kitchen  north  or  east ;  the  larder 
and  the  front  entrance  to  the  north.  The  kitchen  must  be  handy  to 
the  dining-room,  and  the  range  should  be  lighted  from  the  left 
wherever  possible.  It  is  assumed  that  in  the  kitchen  of  cottages  of 
this  class  top-light  is  outside  the  range  of  practicability. 

The  living-room  or  sitting-hall,  which  is  the  feature  of  the 
majority  of  these  cottages,  can  be  very  elaborately  treated  with 
ingle  fire-places,  window-seats,  &c,  according  to  the  ideas  and  means 
of  the  owner.  But  the  sitting-hall  must  not  be  regarded  as  the 
general  passage-way  from  one  room  to  another,  as  this  will  entirely 
destroy  its  comfort  for  living  purposes.  Various  types  of  living- 
rooms  and  sitting-halls  can  be  seen  among  the  illustrations  in  this 
book,  and  detailed  particulars  are  therefore  unnecessary. 

Generally  speaking,  it  is  best  to  avoid  as  far  as  possible  all 
corridors  and  landings.  A  corridor  well  treated  may  be  made  a 
great  feature  in  a  house  if  expense  is  not  the  main  consideration. 
Spacious  landings  and  staircases  of  generous  build  add  much  to  the 
beauty  and  stateliness  of  a  house,  but  in  the  small  cottage  corridors 
and  landings  are  expensive  and  a  waste  of  space. 

The  English  bedroom  is  by  no  means  irreproachable.  Con- 
sidering the  length  of  time  passed  in  bedrooms,  their  shape,  cubical 
contents,  window-space  and  ventilation  are  all  matters  of  consider- 
able hygienic  importance.  Science  would  demand  that  our  bedrooms 
should  be  even  larger  than  our  sitting-rooms,  because  of  the  greater 
air  space  required.  Our  forefathers  of  the  half-timber  age  carried 
out  this  idea  by  making  their  bedrooms  project  beyond  the  living- 
rooms  beneath  them,  though  it  would  be  too  much  to  assert  that 
they  were  actuated  by  the  hygienic  advantages  of  the  extra  cube 
space  afforded.  But  at  the  present  time  the  tendency  is  all  the 
other  way.  We  build  bedrooms  in  the  roof,  and  the  slope  of  the 
roof  necessarily  cuts  off  a  considerable  part  of  the  ground-floor  area, 
with  the  result  that  the  bedrooms  are  necessarily  smaller  than  the 
living-rooms  they  cover.  I  am  not  insensible  to  the  artistic  or 
financial  advantages  to  be  gained  by  placing  bedrooms  in  the  roof, 
but  this  policy  is  nowadays  frequently  carried  to  excess.  Not  to 
mention  that  without  special  and  costly  precautions  such  rooms  are 
very  cold  in  winter  and  hot  in  summer. 

Architects   are    somewhat   prone  to  denounce  the  demands  of 

3° 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 


Good  Type  of  Bedroom. 

Note  :  Furniture  is  according  to  actual 
measurement. 


Fairly  Good  Type  of  Bedroom. 


hygiene  as  tyrannical.  The  demand 
of  scientific  men  for  larger  bedrooms 
and  more  window  space  has  generally 
been  met  with  the  retort  that  people 
should  leave  their  bedroom  windows 
open.  This  is  a  counsel  of  perfec- 
tion. We  know  perfectly  well,  through 
the  modern  treatment  of  tuberculosis, 
that  it  is  quite  possible,  under  skilled 
medical  attention,  for  very  delicate 
people  to  sleep  in  the  open  air. 
But  such  patients  are  always  care- 
fully screened  from  draughts.  And 
in  many  modern  bedrooms  I  have 
seen  I  would  defy  anyone  to  sleep 
with  open  windows  without  catching 
a  violent  cold  or  incurring  perpetual 
neuralgia.  It  is  not  sufficient  for  the 
architect  to  say  "  Open  your  window  "  ; 
he  must  so  arrange  his  bedrooms  that 
there  is  not  a  continual  draught 
across  the  head  of  the  bed. 

There  are  two  main  defects  in 
many  English  bedrooms,  and  these 
are  their  shape  and  arrangement. 
Too  often  there  is  every  indication 
that  the  planning  of  the  ground- 
floor  with  the  living  rooms  has  been 
regarded  as  the  "  be-all  and  end-all " 
of  the  design,  and  the  bedrooms  are 
disposed  as  best  they  may  over  the 
rooms  below  them.  The  long  narrow 
room  where  the  bed  must  be  set 
lengthways  along  the  wall  in  order 
that  one  may  get  past  it  is  not  a 
pattern  to  be  adopted,  for  the  bed 
has  to  be  moved  every  time  it  is 
made,  which  is  neither  good  for  the 
temper  nor  the  floor.  Equally  irrita- 
ting is  the  bedroom  which  has  the  door  in  the  middle  of  one  wall, 
the  fireplace  in  the  middle  of  another,  and  the  window  in  the 
centre  of  the  third,  so  that  the  fourth  wall,  the  only  possible  one 
against  which  to  set  the  bed,  is  in  the  full  line  of  draught 
between  the  door  and  the  fireplace,  the  window  and  the  fireplace, 
or  the  door  and  the  window.  Yet  an  examination  of  some 
thousands  of  plans  during  the  last  ten  years  shows  these  defects  to 
be  the  rule  rather  than  the  exception.  The  idea  that  anything  is 
good  enough  for  a  bedroom  should  by  this  time  be  an  exploded  fiction. 

The  "bedrooms-in-the-roof"  type  of  dwelling  has  given  us  some 
atrocities  in  the  way  of  sleeping-places,  and  in  one  house  it  was  my 

31 


Bad  Type  of  Bedroom. 

From  Houses  designed  by  Architects. 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

fortune,  or  misfortune,  to  visit,  the  only  possible  position  for  the  bed 
was  in  the  very  centre  of  the  room.  Where  the  rest  of  the  furniture 
was  to  be  placed  it  was  impossible  to  say,  for  excepting  the  centre 
space  and  a  small  area  in  the  dormer  window,  it  was  impossible  to 
stand  upright.  Such  planning  can  only  argue  an  entire  want  of 
architectural  skill,  or  else  a  somewhat  callous  indifference  of  the 
comfort  of  the  inmates  in  the  effort  to  secure  exterior  effect. 

But  in  the  conception  of  a  home  there  is  one  point  on  which 
the  American  architect  outshines  his  English  confrere,  and  that  is 
the  provision  of  cupboards.  When  the  Millbank  dwellings  of  the 
London  County  Council  were  opened  by  the  King  and  Queen  a  few 
years  ago,  it  was  left  for  Her  Majesty  to  remark  on  the  absence  of 
cupboard  accommodation — a  criticism  which  was  said  at  the  time  to 
have  been  taken  to  heart  by  the  august  body  concerned.  Whether 
the  more  recent  erections  of  the  Council  show  an  improvement  in 
this  respect,  I  cannot  say ;  but  the  absence  of  adequate  cupboard 
accommodation  is  still  a  lamentable  feature  in  the  domestic  work 
of  even  the  most  gifted  English  architects.  True,  in  one  of  the 
houses  I  have  lately  seen  there  are  no  fewer  than  twenty-eight 
cupboards  ;  but  this  is  an  exception,  and  the  house  was  designed  for 
a  lady  by  that  very  practical  man,  Mr.  Voysey,  so  that  this  instance 
is  perhaps  reasonably  accounted  for.  And  in  the  majority  of  cases 
where  cupboards  are  provided  they  are  so  small  and  awkward  as  to 
prove  more  of  a  nuisance  than  a  blessing. 

Now  the  American  believes  in  cupboards,  large  ones,  and  plenty 
of  them.  Very  often  these  are  contrived  by  planning  a  space  two 
or  three  feet  wide  between  two  bedrooms ;  half  this  space  forms  a 
cupboard  for  one  bedroom,  and  half  a  cupboard  for  the  other.  Much 
more  ingenuity,  too,  is  shown  in  the  planning  of  the  bedroom  floors 
to  afford  cupboard  space  than  is  the  case  with  English  houses.  Why 
the  English  house  should  continue  to  be  cursed  with  that  abomina- 
tion in  furniture,  the  wardrobe,  it  is  difficult  to  say.  It  is  cumbersome 
and  heavy,  and  usually  too  small  to  hold  one  quarter  of  the  things 
that  one  desires  to  put  in  it.  Fitted  bedrooms  are  not  unknown 
here ;  but  they  are  practically  confined  to  the  largest  and  most 
expensive  houses,  whereas  proper  storage  accommodation  is  a 
necessity  in  every  house,  and  even  more  important  in  the  small 
house  or  country  cottage  than  in  the  mansion.  This  is  very 
generally  recognised  by  the  American  architect,  and  he  frequently 
increases  the  inevitably  limited  storage  accommodation  of  the 
country  cottage  by  providing  drawers  under  the  stairs. 

The  question  of  timber  in  building  is  daily  becoming 
cenerally  more  serious  and  difficult.  The  world's  supply  of  this 
useful  material  is  now  being  used  up  so  rapidly  that 
adequate  time  cannot  be  allowed  for  its  proper  seasoning.  For  this 
reason  door-frames  warp  and  twist,  door-panels  shrink  and  split,  and  all 
timber  work  is  liable  to  seasoning  defects.  Even  English  oak,  which 
for  so  long  has  had  a  reputation  for  undeviating  rectitude,  is  being 
discarded  by  some  architects  owing  to  its  liability  to  shiver  and  split. 
Elm  is  coming  into  fashion  again,  and  the  old  cottage  door  of  elm 

32 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

slabs  has  been  used  in  a  number  of  modern  cottages.  Elm  is  a  useful 
wood  for  weather-boarding,  but  it  has  a  tendency  to  curl  at  the  edges, 
and  this  must  be  guarded  against  by  careful  fastening. 

Austrian  oak  is  being  largely  used  where  oak  is  required  ;  but  the 
use  of  imported  oak  will  probably  not  appeal  to  the  average  English- 
man. Deal  we  have  always  with  us,  and  good  honest  painted  deal 
is  much  to  be  preferred  to  deal  masquerading  as  something  better. 
Deal  can,  however,  be  stained  to  pleasing  and  decorative  colours 
without  attempting  the  imitation  of  other  woods.  The  use  of  the  more 
precious  and  valuable  timbers  for  decorative  purposes  is,  of  course, 
entirely  one  of  cost,  and  depends  on  the  amount  of  money  available 
for  building. 

One  difficulty  of  the  modern  cottage-owner  is  his  floors. 
Stained  and  polished  floors  are  very  generally  desired  for 
decorative  effect ;  but  too  often  such  alarming  spaces,  not  to  say 
cavities,  appear  between  the  floorboards,  that  the  continuance  of  a 
stained  floor  seems  out  of  the  question.  Here  again  the  seasoning 
difficulty  crops  up,  and  frequently  floorboards  properly  put  down  and 
cramped  up  during  laying  will  afterwards  shrink  and  disclose  unsightly 
spaces.  If  such  floors  exist  on  the  ground  level  it  is  more  than  likely 
that  they  will  be  exceedingly  dusty  as  well  as  cold  by  reason  of  the 
passage  of  air  through  the  air-bricks  provided  for  proper  ventilation 
under  the  ground  floors.  With  a  floor  very  defective  in  this  respect, 
practically  the  only  efficient  remedy  is  to  take  up  the  boards  and 
relay  the  floor.  To  some  extent  the  evil  may  be  prevented  by  the 
use  of  grooved  and  tongued  boarding,  or  by  laying  very  narrow 
boarding  well  cramped  up  before  fixing.  But  both  expedients  are  a 
little  more  costly  than  the  ordinary  practice.  Similarly,  spaces 
between  the  floorboards  and  the  bottom  of  the  skirting  may  be 
prevented  by  the  latter  being  tongued  into  the  floor,  and  another  and 
cheaper  method  is  to  nail  a  grooved  fillet  to  the  floor  round  the  walls 
and  fit  the  tongue  of  the  skirting  into  the  groove.  See  Preface 
for  note  on  sound  deafening  in  floors. 

For  kitchen  and  scullery  floors  tiles  or  the  old-fashioned  red  brick 
floors  are  very  desirable,  but  it  is  essential  that  they  be  laid  on 
concrete,  and  with  proper  fall  to  one  corner  so  that  if  washed  or 
swilled  out  the  water  will  run  to  that  corner  and  may  then  be  drained 
through  a  small  aperture  in  the  wall  into  a  gulley  outside.  Gullies 
must  on  no  account  be  set  inside  the  house.  The  tile  floors  of  the 
speculative  builder  are  laid  on  a  thin  bedding  of  ashes  spread  over  the 
roughly  levelled  surface  of  the  bare  earth,  with  the  result  that  the  tiles 
rapidly  become  uneven  through  the  settling  of  the  ground,  and  in 
wet  weather  become  damp  and  cold  through  the  wet  rising  from  the 
soil.  With  such  floors  the  skirtings  will  be  of  cement,  unless,  of 
course,  tiled  or  glazed  brick  linings  are  provided  for  the  walls. 
Where  paved  floors  are  provided  it  is  better  that  they  should  be  a 
step  lower  in  level  than  the  rest  of  the  house  to  prevent  any  possi- 
bility of  water  overflowing. 

Kitchen  floors,  it  is  true,  are  not  generally  designed  with  a  view 
to  swilling ;  but  from  a  hygienic  point  of  view  this  is  a  very  desirable 

33 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

thing-,  and  would  contribute  much  to  the  coolness  and  sweetness  of 
the  room  during  hot  weather.  A  daily  swill,  aided  by  a  mop,  would 
occasion  far  less  fatigue  than  the  laborious  scrubbing  which  is  other- 
wise inevitable. 

Tiles,  though  pleasing  in  an  artistic  sense,  are  not  the  only  form 
of  paving  suitable  for  interior  floors.  Concrete,  usually  with  a  granite 
surface,  is  frequently  employed,  but  is  apt  to  be  slippery,  especially  to 
anyone  turning  quickly.  Terrazzo  and  marble  squares  make  handsome 
floors  ;  too  elaborate  for  kitchens  and  sculleries,  though  very  suitable 
for  vestibules,  corridors,  verandahs,  lavatories,  bathrooms  and  the 
best  water-closets.  But  these  floors  are  costly,  and  in  the  majority 
of  cases  may  be  ruled  out  of  the  question. 

Mr.  C.  F.  A.  Voysey,  in  his  own  house,  has  the  floors  of  his 
sitting  hall,  kitchen,  etc.,  paved  with  large  slabs  of  Delabole  slate, 
the  pleasing  grey  colour  forming  an  excellent  decorative  feature  ;  the 
slate  is  not,  as  might  be  supposed,  unpleasant  to  walk  upon,  but  it  is 
comparatively  expensive.  Wood-block  and  parquet  floors  are  likewise 
expensive,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  they  are  not  too  elaborate  to  find  a 
place  in  a  country  cottage. 

For  the  principal  floors  of  many  of  the  new  artizans'  cottages  at 
the  Garden  City  wood  blocks  have  been  used,  and  it  is  stated  that 
while  the  first  cost  is  greater  their  length  of  life  makes  the  provision 
an  economical  one.  This  statement  has,  however,  been  openly 
scouted  by  many  practical  builders. 

It  would  be  difficult,  on  the  score  of  health,  to  improve  on  stained 
and  varnished  floors  for  bedrooms,  with  rugs  laid  where  necessary. 
But  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  it  is  difficult  when  washing  to  avoid 
splashing  on  the  floor,  and  occasionally  water  is  spilt  with  infinite 
risk  to  the  ceilings  underneath.  Some  impervious  covering  is 
therefore  required  under  and  round  the  washstand. 
...» ™..,,-  Of  late  years  there  has  been  rather  a  vehement  repudia- 
tion  of  the  high  and  narrow  window  of  the  Georgian 
period  by  some  of  our  best  architects ;  so  vehement  that  one  wonders 
if  they  have  quite  a  sound  case,  on  other  than  artistic  grounds,  for 
turning  the  Georgian  frame  on  its  side  and  making  the  .  modern 
window  long  and  low.  On  hygienic  grounds  there  is  much  to  be  said 
for  the  older  window,  which  made  it  possible  to  ventilate  the  top  of  a 
room  while  still  inhabiting  it.  Three,  and  sometimes  four,  feet  of  wall 
above  the  latest  windows  constitutes  a  dead  area  in  the  top  of  the 
room,  from  which  it  is  difficult  to  move  the  foetid  air  without  opening 
door  and  window,  and  raising  an  unbearable  draught. 

In  the  country,  where  one  spends  so  much  time  in  the  open  air, 
the  ventilation  question  is  not  so  exigent  as  in  the  towns,  and  so 
largely  escapes  attention  ;  but  the  principle  of  the  thing  is  not  less 
true  on  this  account,  and  in  wet  or  cold  weather,  when  outdoor  life  is 
impossible,  the  modern  cottage  room  can  acquire  a  stuffiness  that 
must  be  experienced  to  be  appreciated.  The  casement  window, 
however,  has  many  advantages,  and  numbers  of  people  who  have 
once  tried  them  would  never  put  up  with  the  sash  window  again. 

The  main  consideration  in  the  treatment  of  the  window  itself  is 

34 


FIRST     PRIZE     DETACHED     COTTAGE,     CLEVELEYS,     LANCS. 
ALBERT   C.    DONE,    Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-cast,  with  hollow   walls.     Roof  covered   with  red  hand-made  tiles. 
Casement  windows  with  leaded  lights.     Cost,  ,£285  to  ^300.     See  p.  61. 


SECOND     PRIZE     DETACHED     COTTAGE,     CLEVELEYS,      LANCS 

BERTRAM    DRUIHMOND,     Architect. 


Built  with  hollow  walls  of  brick,   upper  part  rough-cast.     Roof  covered  with  red  tiles.     Casement  windows.     Cost.  £$25. 
See  p.  61. 


35 


36 


f-fe^£S£^£>S:  :    .,/'•  .50 


A     PAIR     OF    COTTAGES     AT     LETCHWORTH. 
HI.   H.    BAILLIE    SCOTT,    Architect. 


Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  and  roofed  with  old  tiles.     Porch  in  half-timber  work.     Cost,  ^550  for  the  pair.     See  p.  62 


37 


CQ.Qwnc»        pi_^r 


First      F'-ooa     fu/*h 


COTTAGE     AT     EPPING.     ESSEX. 
JOHN    W.    RHODES,    Architect 

Built  of  red  brick,  upper  portion  of  half-timber,  with  rough  cast   panels  over  brick-nogging.     Roof  covered  with 
red  tiles.      Cost,  just  under  £400.     See  p    63. 


.18 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

to  keep  the  panes  small.  Large  sheets  of  glass  never  look  well,  and 
their  tendency  is  to  make  the  cottage  appear  much  smaller  than  it 
really  is.  Large  panes  also  detract  from  the  cottage-like  appearance 
that  most  people  desire,  besides  being  more  costly  to  replace  if 
broken. 

Leaded  lights  and  metal  casements  are  increasing  in  popularity. 
These,  with  plain  oak  frames,  have  a  special  value  in  rural  districts 
where  skilled  labour  is  difficult  to  procure.  If  the  house  walls  are 
half-timber  or  rough-cast,  the  woodwork  can  easily  be  coated  periodi- 
cally with  a  little  boiled  oil  and  the  rough-cast  limewhited,  and  both 
jobs  are  within  the  capacity  of  the  average  handyman.  The  repaint- 
ing question  is  not  therefore  fraught  with  the  difficulties  that  occur  in 
connection  with  wooden  sashes.  The  leaded  light  is,  however,  more 
difficult  to  repair  when  broken  ;  but  the  elasticity  of  the  leads  saves 
the  glass  from  many  a  breakage.  Coloured  glass  should  be  very 
sparingly  used,  if  at  all.  Even  the  cathedral  tinted  variety  can  make 
itself  very  troublesome  in  a  decorative  scheme. 

The  question  of  jalousies  or  shutters  to  the  windows  must  be  left  to 
the  discretion  of  the  cottage  builder.  Jalousies  are  only  occasionally 
needed  in  this  country,  and  their  use  must  be  determined  by  preference 
or  questions  of  cost.  It  must  be  admitted  that  they  often  add  to  the 
appearance  of  a  cottage,  and  are  more  in  keeping  than  the  sun-blind, 
which  too  often  is  put  up  after  the  place  is  built,  and  ruins  the  appear- 
ance of  the  window.  Jalousies  and  shutters  can  be  utilised  as  an 
additional  means  of  protection  to  the  lower  windows  in  lonely  places. 
But  jalousies  cannot  be  fitted  with  casement  windows  unless  these 
open  inwards,  and  this  is  unusual. 

Doors  are  one  of  the  most  troublesome  features  of  the 
modern  house,  being  especially  liable  to  damage  from 
shrinkage  and  splitting  in  the  wood.  The  ordinary  panelled  door 
is  a  great  offender  in  this  respect.  To  have  the  doors  well  made  is  a 
sine  qua  non.  Nothing  is  so  troublesome  to  remedy  as  a  split  panel 
or  a  warped  frame.  In  some  of  the  newer  cottages  a  return  has  been 
made  to  the  ledged  and  braced  doors  of  the  old  cottages,  and  the 
split  panel  difficulty  is  therefore  avoided.  At  the  same  time  the  wood 
soon  warps,  sometimes  in  the  most  alarming  manner.  There  is  a 
patent  door  on  the  market  which  is  built  up  of  layers  of  wood,  the 
direction  of  grain  in  each  layer  being  opposite  to  that  of  the  layer 
next  it  ;  the  whole  is  consolidated  by  pressure.  By  this  means  the 
tendency  to  shrinkage  and  warping  is  counteracted. 

The  folding  door  is  an  early  Victorian  abomination,  happily 
becoming  extinct.  Where  it  is  desired  to  afford  some  means  of 
throwing  two  rooms  into  one  sliding  doors  are  far  preferable.  In  this 
case  the  aperture  is  closed  by  two  doors  sliding  into  grooves  formed 
in  the  walls  on  either  side  of  the  aperture.  In  America  this  is 
becoming  a  very  common  expedient,  and  the  convenience  is  great,  as 
two  or  three  comparatively  small  rooms  can  be  turned  into  one  large 
apartment,  capable  of  containing,  on  an  occasion  such  as  a  wedding 
or  an  at  home,  quite  a  large  circle  of  friends.  The  difficulty  of 
conducting  a  similar  festivity  in  the  average  English  home  does  not 

E  39 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

bear  enlarging  upon.  Of  course  some  amount  of  privacy  may  be 
sacrificed  ;  a  wooden  door  cannot  be  relied  on  to  be  as  sound-proof  as 
a  solid  wall  (not  that  English  partition  walls,  in  the  main,  are 
remarkable  for  solidity  or  sound-proof  qualities)  ;  still,  judging  from 
his  Press,  the  average  American  is  not  so  intolerant  of  intrusion  into 
his  private  affairs  as  we  are. 

The  value  of  good  grates  and  stoves  is  known  to  all 
housewives.  Quite  recently  an  official  test  of  a  large 
number  of  grates  was  carried  out  at  the  Local  Government  Offices  in 
Whitehall,  and  five  firms  were  commended  for  stoves  that  passed 
severe  tests  for  small  coal  consumption  and  smoke  production, 
compared  with  the  heat  produced  and  oxygen  consumed.  As  regards 
coal  cellarage,  in  remote  districts,  it  is  sometimes  real  economy  to 
buy  coal  by  the  truck-load  in  the  summer,  and  sufficient  accommoda- 
tion may  therefore  have  to  be  provided  for  at  least  eight  tons  of  coal 
at  one  time. 

The  average  kitchen  fittings  comprise,  beside  the  range, 
fittings  a  dresser  and  a  few  cupboards.  In  the  twentieth  century 
these  things  should  show  some  modification  and  improve- 
ment. The  dresser  is  generally  intended  to  hold  the  china  in 
ordinary  use  ;  but  this  would  be  far  better  placed  in  a  dust-proof 
cupboard.  If  the  dresser  were  made  as  a  cupboard  with  close-fitting 
glass-panelled  doors,  more  like  a  china  cabinet  intended  for  old  and 
valuable  specimens,  much  unnecessary  washing  of  crockery-ware 
would  be  obviated.  It  is  better  if  a  proper  pantry  can  be  provided 
for  the  china  and  glass,  with  a  sink,  etc.,  for  the  washing  of  these 
articles,  but  in  a  country  cottage  it  is  not  always  possible  to  afford 
the  room.  In  such  a  room  drawers  for  holding  the  plate,  table 
cloths,  dusters,  etc.,  should  also  be  fitted,  and  if  it  forms  a  servery 
ample  counter  or  flap  accommodation  should  be  provided  for  setting 
down  trays  and  dishes. 

Cupboards  are  generally  set  in  the  kitchen  where  it  is  thought 
they  will  not  be  in  the  way.  This  is  quite  the  wrong  method  of 
regarding  cupboards.  If  necessary,  the  whole  of  one  side  or  end 
of  kitchen  or  scullery  should  be  cupboards,  not  cupboards  contrived 
under  the  stairs,  which,  from  their  nature,  are  most  awkward  to  use. 
These  cupboards  need  not  be  exceptionally  deep,  but  should  contain " 
the  stores  in  current  use.  If  there  is  no  other  position  the  store 
cupboard  can  be  placed  here  also — fitted  with  shelves  about  nine 
or  ten  inches  deep  or  divided  into  pigeon-holes,  so  that  the  various 
stores  can  be  separated,  and  the  mistress  of  the  house  can  see 
practically  at  a  glance  what  things  require  replenishing.  In  the 
scullery  there  should  be  a  cleaning  cupboard,  so  arranged  that 
the  various  brooms,  brushes,  dustpans,  etc.,  can  be  hung  up,  a  locker 
provided  for  the  housemaid's  box,  and  shelves  for  the  boot  brushes, 
blacking,  polishing  paste,  and  drawers  for  clean  and  dirty  rags,  etc. 
Here,  again,  the  cupboards  should  be  provided  with  some  thought  of 
the  purposes  for  which  they  will  be  required. 

The  sink  is  the  most  important  article  in  the  scullery ;  it  should 
have  good  big  draining  boards  on  either  side  and  plate  racks  over  the 

4o 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

draining  boards.  A  copper  should  be  provided  and  space  for  a 
mangle,  as  some  washing,  as  of  kitchen  cloths,  etc.,  can  always 
be  profitably  done  at  home,  even  if  the  bulk  of  the  washing  is  sent  to 
the  laundry.  If  space  is  limited,  it  pays  to  provide  a  good  big  flap, 
hinged  to  the  wall,  that  can  be  set  up  for  ironing  or  other  work.  Gas 
stoves  should  also  be  considered  ;  in  spite  of  the  utmost  cleanliness, 
gas  stoves  give  off  the  most  disagreeable  fumes,  and  a  big  hood  should 
therefore  be  provided  over  the  stove  with  a  flue  to  carry  off  these  vapours. 
It  is  desirable  that  the  sink  be  placed  in  front  of  a  window ;  but 
the  walls  round  should  be  faced  with  glazed  bricks  or  tiles,  not  just  a 
course  or  two  but  for  at  least  three  feet  above  and  on  either  side 
of  the  sink.  If  it  is  intended  to  do  the  whole  of  the  washing  at  home 
a  glazed  wash-tub  fixture  is  a  useful  addition  to  the  scullery. 

Proportion  is  rather  a  curse  in  the  design  of  stair- 
staircases       cases-     The  grand  staircases  and  flights  of  steps  in 

public  buildings  demand  a  wide  tread  and  low  rise, 
and  it  is  amusing  and  instructive  to  watch  how  many  people  stumble 
up  such  steps  because  they  have,  by  instinct,  become  accustomed  to 
the  more  modest  and  different  dimensions  of  the  stairs  in  their  own 
homes.  A  dignified  staircase  adds  much  to  the  appearance  of  a 
home,  but  in  a  cottage  four  feet  will  be  about  the  maximum  width. 
As  a  rule  stairs  look  best  if  viewed  sideways,  the  balusters  and  newel 
posts  being  then  more  in  evidence,  and  the  architect  will  contrive  his 
stairs  to  the  best  advantage ;  needless  to  add,  on  the  design  of  the 
balusters,  etc.,  much  of  the  effect  depends.  The  main  defect  with 
the  balusters  is  to  get  them  too  thin  and  spidery. 

Winders  in  the  stairs  are  a  nuisance,  and  should  never  be  em- 
ployed unless  absolutely  necessary.  They  are  a  source  of  danger,  and 
difficult  to  fit  the  carpets  over.  Square  landings  are  much  to  be 
preferred.  Staircases  should  always  be  well  lighted  ;  windows  arranged 
to  come  at  the  landings  are  useful,  especially  if  fitted  with  a  window 
seat,  which  is  useful  to  old  or  infirm  people  who  find  climbing  stairs 
troublesome.  Twelve  steps  should  be  the  maximum  number  in 
one  flight. 
inclf  nooks      The  mgle-no°k  now  finds  a  place  in  almost   every 

country  cottage.  Personally,  I  think  the  ingle-nook 
is  a  somewhat  over-rated  feature  of  the  modern  home.  It  boasts  of  a 
comfort  that  it  rarely  possesses.  The  seats  seem  inviting  enough  to 
tired  limbs,  but  their  hard  wooden  outlines  afford  little  comfort. 
Often  the  backs  are  too  straight  or  the  seat  not  deep  enough.  A 
multitude  of  cushions  are  required  to  pad  round  the  susceptible 
points  of  one's  anatomy — with  the  result  that  barely  sufficient  seat  is 
then  left  to  sit  on.  From  the  structural  point  of  view  the  ingle-nook 
also  brings  the  fireplace  out  of  relation  with  the  room,  and  it  not 
infrequently  happens  that  while  the  nook  itself  is  too  insufferably  hot 
to  be  habitable,  the  rest  of  the  room  is  hardly  warm  enough  for  comfort. 
The  mere  recessing  of  the  fireplace,  and  the  placing  of  the  seats  is 
not  sufficient  to  make  a  comfortable  ingle-nook.  But  it  is  satisfactory 
to  note  that  the  ingle-nook  is  now  generally  designed  by  the  architect, 
and  is  not  the  artistic  !  fitment  of  the  general  furnisher. 

41 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

It  is  an  old  axiom  that  the  most  expensive  plumbing 

C  \  M  IT*  A  DV  • 

*  *s  t^ie  cheapest  in  the  end.  Good  drainage  well  laid, 
ments  *ea(^    so^  an(^  rain-water  pipes  and  good  fittings  will, 

despite  first  cost,  pay  for  themselves  in  life,  comfort 
and  appearance. 

In  the  matter  of  bathrooms  we  are  reverting  to  the  luxury  of  the 
Romans.  In  fact,  educated  people  look  upon  their  baths  as  an 
enjoyable  pleasure,  and  not,  like  many  of  our  forefathers,  as  a 
necessary  but  troublesome  item  of  cleanliness  to  be  undertaken  with 
fear  and  trembling  and  extraordinary  preparations  and  precautions. 
This  desirable  feeling  has  resulted  in  the  provision  of  larger  and 
better  bathrooms.  Marble  bathrooms  with  the  marble  bath  sunk  in 
the  floor,  having  steps  down,  have  already  made  their  appearance, 
and  the  nickel  fittings,  etc.,  now  made  for  bathrooms  represent 
gradual  return  to  Augustan  magnificence. 

The  porcelain  bath  is  a  beautiful  thing  in  itself,  but  takes  more 
heating  than  a  metal  one  ;  this  fact  must  be  remembered  in  connection 
with  the  hot  water  arrangements.  It  further  emphasises  the  necessity 
for  placing  the  bathroom  and  the  linen  closet  in  close  proximity  to 
the  kitchen  range  so  that  the  pipes  of  the  hot  water  system  may  be  as 
short  as  possible,  and  the  chance  of  losing  heat  minimised.  Person- 
ally, I  have  never  found  any  hot  water  system  satisfactory  in  the 
matter  of  hot  baths  ;  unless  a  big  fire  in  the  kitchen  range  is  kept 
going  for  a  considerable  time  (in  the  summer  this  occasions  much 
discomfort)  the  water  never  seems  hot.  Moreover,  one  bath  exhausts 
the  stock  of  hot  water  for  some  time,  and  a  continuous  supply  of  hot 
water  is  an  impossibility. 

Wherever  there  is  a  gas  supply  I  prefer  the  geyser.  The  misuse 
of  the  geyser  has  brought  about  some  fatalities  it  is  true,  but  a  geyser, 
fitted  with  a  proper  vent  pipe  carrying  the  combustion  fumes  into  the 
open  air,  will,  under  intelligent  management,  be  found  an  immense 
boon.  Not  that  a  geyser  requires  a  superhuman  intelligence  to  work 
it ;  no  more  sense  is  required  than  is  necessary  in  the  manipulation 
of  a  kettle  of  boiling  water  to  prevent  one  scalding  oneself.  If  the 
geyser  can  be  placed  in  a  ventilated  lobby  outside  the  bathroom,  so 
that  foolish  people  cannot  tamper  with  it,  so  much  the  better.  If 
necessarily  fitted  in  the  bathroom  some  means  of  ventilation  might  be 
provided  outside  the  control  of  stupid  people. 

A  complete  system  of  hot  water  heating  with  radiators  is  not 
usual  in  the  English  country  cottage,  and  the  American  practice  in 
this  respect  is  not  germane,  owing  to  the  differences  of  climate  in  the 
two  countries.  But  where  a  heating  system  is  required  a  boiler  is 
necessary,  and  this  may  be  utilised  to  supply  hot  water  for  baths  also. 
The  only  thing  against  the  arrangement  is  the  fact  that  the  heating 
apparatus  is  not  required  in  the  summer,  and  hot  baths  are. 

A  lavatory  on  the  ground  floor,  with  a  hot  or  cold  supply  or  cold 
supply  alone,  is  a  great  convenience,  for  gardening  operations  or 
games  are  apt  to  leave  one  with  dirty  hands,  and  washing  in  bed- 
rooms during  the  day  means  much  extra  work  for  the  servants,  not 
to  mention  the  inconvenience,  and  wear  and  tear  of  stair-carpets.     If 

42 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

the  ground  floor  lavatory  cannot  be  contrived  a  lavatory  basin  in  the 
bathroom  may  meet  the  difficulty. 

In  small  houses  the  water  closet  is  often  placed  in  the  bathroom. 
Though  there  is  little  in  this  to  cavil  at,  considering  the  excellence  of 
modern  fittings,  there  is  much  to  be  said  on  the  ground  of  convenience, 
as  both  fixtures  may  be  required  for  use  at  the  same  time. 

Slate  shelves  are  best  for  larders,  and  perforated  zinc  makes  the 
best  kind  of  window.  If  money  will  allow  tiled  or  glazed  brick  walls 
might  well  be  used  for  the  larder  walls.  The  importance  of  keeping 
the  food  amid  hygienic  and  clean  surrounding  does  not  need 
emphasising. 

Most  of  the  interior  walls  will  be  the  ordinary  plaster  walls 
"walls*  covered  with  selected  papers.  If  money  is  not  an  imme- 
diate object  some  rooms,  such  as  the  sitting-hall  and 
dining-room,  may  be  panelled  in  oak,  or  deal  stained  and  polished  or 
painted.  Picture  rails  are  a  great  boon,  and  not  very  expensive,  and 
chair  rails  prevent  many  an  unsightly  mark  on  the  paper  or  damage 
to  the  plaster.  The  division  of  the  wall  surface  into  dado,  filling  and 
frieze  is  largely  a  matter,  however,  for  the  artistic  skill  of  the  architect. 

In  sculleries,  kitchens,  larders,  bathrooms  and  closets,  practical 
considerations  of  cleanliness  demand  a  washable  surface.  Plain  or 
tinted  limewash  is  considered  good  enough  for  sculleries  and  pantries  ; 
kitchens,  bathrooms,  &c,  may  have  a  varnished  paper.  Limewashed 
walls  are  exceedingly  troublesome;  they  are  easily  marked  and 
rapidly  dirtied  ;  they  cannot  be  washed,  and  the  limewash  soils  the 
clothes  of  anyone  who  brushes  against  it.  The  washable  distempers 
now  upon  the  market  in  nearly  every  imaginable  shade  have  done 
much,  however,  to  remove  the  objections  urged. 

In  certain  directions  the  owner  may  elaborate  the 
decoration  interior  0f  his  cottasre,  but  in  certain  directions  only. 
The  cottage  exterior  with  the  palace  interior  is  an 
artistic  solecism  that  should  never  be  contemplated.  But  it  has 
been  done,  though  fortunately  the  majority  of  cottage  builders  are 
rarely  so  blessed  with  this  world's  goods  that  they  can  pay  for  such 
freaks.  In  certain  directions,  however,  there  is  a  legitimate  field  for 
artistic  effort.  Plaster  work,  for  instance.  Even  the  humblest 
cottage  may  enshrine  some  delicate  bit  of  plaster  modelling  on  the 
principal  ceilings  or  in  the  form  of  a  frieze.  Some  of  the  old 
cottages  near  Bristol  and  in  Barnstaple  contain  some  quaint  efforts 
in  this  direction,  presumably  by  local  workmen,  very  ambitious  in 
intention  and  mostly  Biblical  in  subject.  I  cannot  say  that  Adam 
and  Eve  in  the  garden  of  Eden  forms  quite  the  best  motif  for 
representation  in  plaster,  nor  the  kind  of  decoration  one  would 
recommend  for  the  country  cottage  ;  but  flower  and  fruit  motifs  are 
very  largely  employed  at  the  present  day,  and  local  flora  and  fauna 
would  make  a  most  appropriate  decoration. 

The  woodwork  of  the  cottage  offers,  too,  an  opportunity  for 
skilled  decoration.  Carving  in  low  relief,  or  some  good  simple 
mouldings  may  be  introduced  sparingly ;  but  one  should  not 
attempt  to  imitate  the  highest  flights  of  Grinling  Gibbons.     Panel- 

43 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

ling  should  never  be  elaborate ;  plain  surfaces  have  an  artistic  as  well 
as  an  hygienic  value.  Many  beautiful  effects  can  be  obtained  by  the 
use  of  inlay.  Chimney-pieces  and  doors  may  also  be  included  in 
the  objects  for  careful  design,  and  the  metal-work  (the  lighting 
fixtures,  door-plates,  handles,  knockers,  bell-pushes,  hinges,  and 
other  metal  included  under  the  title  of  door  furniture)  offers 
immense  possibilities  for  the  expression  of  art.  It  is  by  the  dis- 
cretion and  restraint  exhibited  in  the  choice  of  these  appurtenances 
that  the  cottage  dweller  may  proclaim  his  intelligence  and  refine- 
ment to  the  world.     As  the  parodist  of  Lovelace  says : 

"  Gilt  wall  does  not  a  mansion  make, 
Nor  Louis  Seize  a  home.'' 

Before  proceeding  to  the  actual  consideration  and 
description  of  examples  of  the  British  Country  Cottages 
it  is  perhaps  in  place  to  say  a  word  about  the  care  of 
the  cottage.  The  servant  question  is  always  with  us,  and  in  the 
past  was  hardly  sufficiently  considered.  The  old  race  of  servants 
who  laboured  from  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  till  eleven  o'clock  or 
after  at  night  with  hardly  any  cessation  or  rest,  is  now  extinct ;  and 
the  new  order  is  exceedingly  exacting  on  the  question  of  hours  and 
the  volume  of  work.  As  the  number  of  servants  in  a  country  cottage 
will  be  small,  it  is  well  to  consider  this  fact,  and  to  remember  that 
much  may  be  done  to  minimise  the  necessary  work  of  cleaning  if 
modern  materials  and  expedients  are  employed  in  the  construction 
of  the  dwelling.  Possibly  something  considered  absolutely  essential 
by  the  most  advanced  artistic  cult  may  have  to  be  sacrificed ;  but 
comfort  must  be  set  before  what,  in  many  cases,  are  only  fads. 

For  instance,  in  the  higher  cult  there  is  an  outcry  against  glazed 
surfaces.  So  white  enamel  has  had  to  give  way  to  flatted  white, 
the  former  being  twice  as  easy  to  clean  as  the  latter.  As  I  am  no 
admirer  of  finger  marks  on  white  surfaces,  I  advocate  white  enamel. 
Where  any  surface  can  reasonably  be  of  glazed  or  washable  material, 
make  it  glazed  or  washable.  Avoid  ledges,  avoid  fretwork  cosy 
corners,  and  elaborate  mouldings ;  have  solid  balustrades  to  the 
stairs  if  necessary,  and  generally  banish  all  those  resting-places  for 
dirt  and  dust  that  takes  a  household  half  its  time  to  keep  clean. 
Stained  floors,  and  rugs  or  squares  that  can  be  easily  taken  outside 
and  beaten,  are  far  preferable  to  the  "  all  over  "  carpet  which  accumu- 
lates dirt  and  can  never  be  moved  without  taking  out  all  the  furniture. 
Put  an  embargo  on  elaborate  metal  fittings  that  require  continual 
and  laborious  cleaning.  The  additional  comfort  will  always  com- 
pensate for  much  that  is  lost  from  an  artistic  point  of  view,  and  truth 
to  tell,  in  endeavouring  to  minimise  the  labour  of  the  household  one 
will  escape  much  abominably  bad  art. 

Special  care  should  also  be  exercised  in  the  selection  of  materials 
that  they  are  suitable  for  their  position  and  purpose,  and  not  easily 
dirtied  or  discoloured  by  wear  or  contact.  As  an  instance  I  might 
mention  stone  door  jambs,  where  people  are  likely  to  lean  against 
them.  The  doorways  and  walls  of  a  well-known  recently  built  theatre 
have  now  an  ugly  greasy  mark  on  them  up  to  about  four  feet  from  the 

44 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

ground,  caused  by  the  queues  of  people  waiting  for  the  doors  to  open. 
Kitchen  and  scullery  walls  are  subject  to  severe  knocks,  and  ordinary 
lime  plaster  is  not  equal  to  such  hard  wear.  If  a  glazed  brick  dado — 
and  preferably  one  of  salt-glazed  bricks,  as  these  are  not  so  prone  to 
"  craze  "  or  chip — were  fixed,  these  rooms  would  be  structurally 
improved,  and  the  possibilities  of  cleanliness  enhanced.  Very 
frequently  the  big  firms  of  glazed  brick  makers  have  small  remainders 
of  certain  colours  left  over  which  can  be  purchased  cheaply,  and  I 
have  heard  of  a  speculative  builder  who  regularly  bought  up  such  lots 
for  use  in  his  houses. 

As  to  furniture  much  might  be  written.  Architects 
have  often  to  deplore  the  hopelessly  bad  and  incon- 
gruous furniture  that  is  put  into  rooms  on  which  they  have  expended 
much  time  and  thought.  Needless  to  say  old  cottage  furniture  looks 
best  in  a  cottage  ;  but  if  the  purse  does  not  run  to  old  furniture,  new 
furniture  modelled  on  the  old  patterns  can  always  be  obtained.  It 
is  better  to  buy  good  furniture  that  is  openly  and  avowedly  new  than 
be  deceived  by  unscrupulous  dealers  with  sham  new  stuff  at  antique 
prices.  It  is  perhaps  too  much  to  ask  that  the  architect  be  given  a 
voice  in  the  selection  of  the  furniture.  Yet  how  much  better  it 
would  be  if  this  were  the  rule. 


45 


CHAPTER    III. 

THE    QUESTION    OF    COST. 

I  have  left  to  a  separate  chapter  some  consideration  of  the  question 
of  cost.  For  probably  in  connection  with  the  subject  of  country 
cottages  there  is  no  point  so  important,  and  withal  so  little  under- 
stood by  the  layman,  as  the  suiting  of  ways  to  means.  If  this  book 
has  any  other  purpose  beside  bringing  some  examples  of  small 
modern  country  homes  before  the  public,  it  is  the  vindication  of  the 
"  Art  "  architect  as  a  designer  well  able  to  produce  houses  at  a  reason- 
able figure.  No  further  proofs  were  needed  than  that  afforded  by 
a  study  of  the  examples  shown,  for  all  the  architects  whose  work 
is  here  illustrated  were  specially  selected,  and  requested  to  suggest 
the  examples  by  which  they  are  represented.  They  do  not  embrace, 
by  any  means,  the  whole  of  the  designers  who  were  invited,  and  the 
work  of  whom  would  have  been  a  welcome  addition  to  that  shown  ; 
but  it  must  be  understood  that  many  could  not  contribute  examples 
within  the  limits  of  size  and  cost  set  out  for  the  book. 

Still  these  examples  will  have  fulfilled  their  purpose  if  they 
convince  readers  that  the  speculative  builder  is  not  the  only  individual 
who  can  build  at  a  reasonable  figure  ;  I  despair  of  ever  bringing  home 
to  the  public  the  fact  that  the  speculative  builder  never  gets  value  for 
his  money.  And  yet  nothing  is  more  true.  To  wander  over  any 
speculative  property,  built  or  in  building,  is  to  find  a  tale  of  lament- 
able things,  ill  done ;  a  record  of  good  bricks  wrongly  and  crookedly 
laid  with  good  mortar ;  of  good  wood  and  mouldings  slashed  as  with 
a  hatchet  rather  than  cut  with  a  saw  ;  of  good  material  wasted  by 
villainous  plumbing.  And  all  to  save  a  few  pounds  by  the  employ- 
ment of  small  piece-work  workmen  whose  interest  in  their  work  is 
limited  to  the  minimum  time  in  which  they  can  achieve  an  appearance 
of  having  done  it. 

True  the  speculator  is  improving.  He  has  been  known  to  com- 
mission a  design  from  a  good  architect,  but  by  no  means  can  he  be 
induced  to  carry  it  out  as  it  was  designed.  His  improvements  and 
alterations  all  tend  as  a  rule  to  obliterate  the  merits  of  the  design 
prepared  for  him,  and  here  again  the  question  is  one  often  of  saving 
trouble  rather  than  cost.  It  is  so  much  easier  to  order  stock  window 
frames  from  a  cheap  wood  or  joinery  firm  than  have  well-designed  ones 
made  to  order,  though  the  difference  of  cost  on  the  large  number 
would  probably  be  nil. 

But  with  the  sins  of  the  speculator  and  his  lamentable  want  of 
taste  I  am  not  here  so  much  concerned,  except  to  warn  readers 
against  him.  Perhaps  one  little  tale  told  to  me  in  the  course  of 
preparing  this    book,    may   form   a  more    eloquent    sermon   than    I 

46 


»JBot>a]MlUT^ST^  °°=  Ll\NTAl!^rECH\N 


■  CH^MBEIF^ 


"bolnhurst,"    llanfairfechan,    n.    wales. 

H.    L     NORTH,    Architect. 

Built  of  stone,  rough-casted,   with  "  Carreg-Mwswg "  or  Moss  slate  roof.     Cost    ^404.     See  p.  63. 


47 


& 

TI 

0) 

•a 

c 

~i 

o 

_ 

a 

c 

Al 

a) 

H 

I/) 

S    » 


H  .5 


<u 

in 

rt 

^ 

fO 

■ 

■.; 

u 

s 

o 

. 

H 

-o  -5 

i    n 

§      is 

o         b  2 
.    2.* 

t  ?  § 

O    '  u  2 

o    *  »^ 

5  •=    no 

>    2  =5  — • 


5  "° 


4    BEDROOMS    ON    FIRST    FLOOR 


COTTAGE     AT     POLEBROOK,     HEVER,     KENT. 
ROBERT  WEIR  SCHULTZ,   Architect. 

Lower  part  of  brick,  limewhited,  upper  part  of  weather-tiling  on  battens.  Red  tiles  on  roof.  About 
two-thirds  of  materials  were  old,  from  a  former  cottage.  Cost,  £270,  without  allowing  for  the 
old  materials.     See  p.  63. 


49 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 


BED  POOM 


BED  ROOM 


f      *     t 
DOWfl 


BCD  ROOM 


DED  BOOM 


:up 


BATH 


UPPER     FLOOR     PLAN. 


BUNGALOW.     MARSH     LOCK. 
JOHN   W.   FAIR  ami   VAL  MYER,  Archil' 

Built    of  local  brick,  rough-casted,   with  red  sand  faced  tiles  on  roof.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architects 

See  p    '    ; 


5° 


PAIR     OF     COTTAGES    AT     RIPLEY,     SURREY. 
HORACE   FIELD,    Architect. 


Built  of  brick,  rough-cast   with  red   tile  roof  and  tile  hung  gables.      Built  for  better  class  workmen  ;  but  suitable 
for  modest   week-end   homes  or   golfers'    cottages.     Cost   of   the    two,   just   under  _£6oo.     See  p.  64. 


5i 


GROUND     PLAN 


UPPER     FLOOR   PLAN. 


BUNGALOW.      ROTHERFIELD     PEPPARD.     OXON. 
JOHN    W.    FAIR   and    VAL    MYER,    Architects. 

Built  of  local  brick,  white-washed,  with  sawn-framing    to  the  gables.     Roof  covered  with  old  red  tiles.     Cost  on 
application  to  the  Architects.     See  p    64 


52 


THE      ENTRANCE      FRONT.      (For  Rear   View  see   next  page.) 


£  L3  LIVING     J   LIVING    t      r 


.EG  I 

COALS  & 

WOOD 


I  PARLOUR  T 


BED 


BLDROOM 


^R    w     1-71 

DROOM    —         :  /\K  / 

Irn 


COTTAGES     AT     BRAMLEY,     SURREY. 
HORACE  FIELD,   Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted  for  lower   storey  ;  red  tiles,  hung,  upper  storey  and  roofs.       Intended  for  gardener 
and  coachman  ;  but  of  a  type  used  by  golfers  and  others.     Cost  of  the  two,  £665.     See  p.  64. 


53 


TWO     COTTAGES     AT     BRAMLEY,     SURREY.      REAR     VIEW.     (Sai    op.   53  and.  64.) 

HORACE  FIELD,    Architect. 


^  [ 


'LITTLE     GRAVELS,"     BURGHCLERE.        ENTRANCE     FRONT.     (See  next  page.) 
FRAHCIS  BACON,  JUNR.,   Architect. 


54 


BEDROOM 

DRAWING 


BEDROOM 


a 


y 


BEDROOM 


L* 


DlNINQ 
ROOM 


GROUND     FLOOR 
PLAN. 


/C 


BASEMENT     PLAN. 


LITTLE     GRAVELS."     BURGHCLERE,      HANTS. 
FRANCIS  BACON,  JUNR.,  Architect. 


Built   of   red-baked   local    bricks,    with    roofing  of   rye-straw    14    inches  thick.     Cost,  £550,  including  a  well  and 
drainage.      See  p.  64. 


55 


VIEW     OF     BUNGALOW     COSTING     £300.     IN     THE     OETZMANN     SERIES. 


^wa*      (Pmndah 


n         ■  a_ 


.    l  y 


PLAN    OF    BUNGALOW  COSTING   £500£550.     SPECIALLY   DESIGNED    FOR    MESSRS.   OETZMANN   &.  CO. 
Witt     HENRY    WHITE.    Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-cast,  with   red  tiled   roof,  and  wrought   iron  casement  windows  with  leaded 
lights.     See  p.  Go. 


56 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

could  write.  Three  maiden  sisters  commissioned  a  well-known  archi- 
tect to  design  them  a  small  home  with  specified  accommodation.  A 
design  was  got  out  for  a  cottage  well  within  the  fixed  limit  of  cost, 
about  £800,  but  when  this  was  presented  the  ladies  exhibited  every 
symptom  of  timidity,  and  finally  dismissed  their  architect  on  the 
specious  plea  that  the  commission  was  too  small  for  a  man  of  his 
calibre.  These  unfortunate  people  were  later  on  much  astonished  to 
learn  from  their  solicitor  that  one  cannot  waste  even  an  architect's 
time  without  paying  for  it  ;  but  this  by  the  way.  Finally  they  got 
into  the  clutches  of  a  speculative  builder,  who  erected  for  them  a 
perfectly  atrocious  house  at  a  cost  of  some  £1,200,  much  to  their 
solicitor's  disgust,  and  the  amusement  of  those  who  heard  the 
story. 

There  is  a  moral  in  this  tale,  which  is  illustrative  of  the  timidity 
of  the  average  client  unused  to  building  operations.  Cost  is  too  often 
the  deterrent  to  a  man  perfectly  able  to  build,  but  yet  unwilling  to 
venture.  For  among  the  general  public  it  has  become  almost  an 
axiom  that  to  employ  an  architect  is  to  mortgage  your  last  shilling, 
and  if  you  must  have  one  it  is  best  to  employ  a  good  business  man, 
one  with  a  head  for  figures  if  devoid  of  taste.  "  The  artistic  tempera- 
ment is  so  unreliable,  you  know  "  ;  I  have  heard  this  complaint  dozens 
of  times.  That  there  must  be  some  foundation  for  this  grievance  is 
an  inevitable  conclusion  ;  there  cannot  be  so  much  smoke  without 
fire.  But  an  investigation  into  some  of  these  cases  will,  more  often 
than  not,  reveal  faults  on  the  part  of  the  client.  That  individual 
frequently  expects  more  for  his  money  than  can  possibly  be  provided  ; 
and  when  the  work  has  been  started  often  desires  to  make  all  kinds 
of  changes  and  alterations,  which  are  both  difficult  and  expensive. 
But  nothing  will  convince  him  that  the  increased  cost  is  due  to  any 
action  of  his.  Clients  should  remember  to  be  extremely  frank  with 
their  architect  on  the  question  of  money.  Stipulate  the  exact 
amount  you  are  prepared  to  spend,  including  the  architect's  fees  and 
extras.  Make  up  your  mind  what  accommodation  you  want ;  and 
once  you  have  signed  the  contract  and  the  building  has  commenced, 
do  not  depart  from  the  plans.  The  builder  bases  his  calculations 
on  the  contract  plans  and  specifications,  and  orders  his  materials  on 
them.  He  cannot  be  expected  to  waste  materials  because  the  client 
suddenly  changes  his  mind.  And  most  builders  look  on  extras  as 
a  legitimate  opportunity  for  increased  profit. 

If  a  good  architect  is  sometimes  to  blame  for  an  unwarranted 
bill  for  extras,  it  will  frequently  be  found  that  he  has  endeavoured  by 
some  minor  alterations  to  improve  on  his  original  plan.  In  fact,  the 
architect  who  cannot  find  opportunities  for  improvement  as  the 
building  goes  up  is  no  true  designer.  Every  good  artist  is  dissatisfied 
with  his  work  ;  it  is  this  divine  discontent  with  his  accomplished  work 
that  spurs  him  on  to  greater  efforts.  Herein  the  architect  is  the 
most  hampered  of  artists,  for  his  medium  is  costly  and  immense. 
Painters  can  destroy  a  canvas  with  small  material  loss  ;  sculptors 
can  model  and  remodel  their  clay  ;  the  etcher  loses  materially  but  his 
copperplate,  but  the  architect  cannot  pull  down  his  building  and 
G  57 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

erect  better.  Still  no  architect  would  deliberately  gratify  his  artistic 
ambitions  by  alterations  at  his  client's  expense. 

It  will  be  of  material  importance  for  the  client  to  remember  that 
the  cost  oi  building  has  risen  by  about  30  per  cent,  in  the  last  thirty 
years.  The  reports  of  strikes  among  building  artisans,  the  efforts  of 
trades  unions  for  more  money  and  shorter  hours,  which  the  average 
man  may  have  noted  from  time  to  time  in  his  paper  for  years  past, 
have  had  their  influence  upon  the  cost  of  the  dwelling  which  he  now 
proposes  to  erect,  and  not  only  is  the  cost  of  skilled  labour  immensely 
greater,  but  the  cost  of  materials  has  also  risen. 

It  is  not  intended  here  to  go  into  minute  calculations  as  to  the 
cost  oi  houses  of  different  sizes — the  houses  illustrated,  with  their  cost 
given,  will  be  more  satisfactory  as  showing  what  has  been  done  and 
for  what  money.  There  are  many  indeterminate  factors,  such  as  the 
cost  of  cartage,  the  nature  of  the  site  and  foundations,  the  distance 
of  the  connections  to  water  and  gas  mains,  the  extent  of  fencing 
required,  etc.,  which  have  a  considerable  bearing  on  the  ultimate 
expenditure,  and  these  cannot  be  considered  in  a  theoretical  calcu- 
lation. Also  the  condition  of  the  building  trade  in  the  neighbourhood. 
If  work  is  slack  a  builder  will  often  tender  at  a  low  figure  to  get  a 
contract  and  keep  his  works  going.  If  he  has  much  work  in  hand 
he  requires  a  much  bigger  profit  to  take  on  other  liabilities — more 
especially  as  a  large  amount  of  work  gives  him  less  opportunity  for 
that  personal  supervision  that  guards  against  loss. 

As  a  last  word — the  work  here  shown  is  work  that  is  eagerly 
illustrated  in  American  journals,  and  finds  a  place  in  publications  sub- 
sidised by  the  German  Government  for  the  study  and  benefit  of 
German  architects  and  students.  Elsewhere  British  domestic  work 
is  looked  up  to  and  admired,  and  there  are  symptoms  that  one  day  the 
Briton  generally  may  find  beauties  in  it  to  which  he  is  at  present  blind. 
As  one  of  the  architects  writes  to  me  :  "  You  will  observe  that  I  lay 
great  stress  upon  the  cost.  I  do  this  because  so  many  people  imagine 
that  house  building  cannot  be  decently  done  except  at  great  expense, 
and  that  architects  with  fads  (i.e.  a  sense  of  decency)  run  up  the  cost 
of  building.  I  think  that  these  three  houses  will  show  accommoda- 
tion that  will  compare  very  favourably  with  some  which  have  been 
erected  (usually  by  speculative  builders)  without  the  same  considera- 
tion for  aesthetic  qualities." 


58 


CHAPTER  IV. 

DESCRIPTIONS    OF    COTTAGES    COSTING    FROM    £200    TO   £l,000. 

Coming  now  to  the  descriptions  of  cottages  actually  erected  it  will  be 
convenient  to  explain  here  that  it  was  considered  desirable  to  limit 
the  maximum  cost  to  £3,500.  Beyond  this  cost  the  term  cottage 
would  hardly  apply,  although  the  cost  of  a  house  is  a  very  relative 
matter,  for  on  quite  a  simple  type  of  dwelling  quite  a  large  sum  could 
be  spent  in  fitting  and  decoration.  Though  very  elaborate  fitting  in 
a  small  house  is  out  of  place,  the  employment  of  distinguished  artists 
for  quite  simple  decoration  would  soon  run  up  the  cost. 

The  cottages  illustrated  have  been  divided  into  three  groups, 
according  to  cost — the  first,  from  £200  (the  practical  minimum  for 
this  class  of  cottage)  to  £1,000,  being  described  in  this  chapter;  those 
costing  from  £1,000  to  £2,000  being  described  in  Chapter  V.,  and 
those  from  £2,000  upwards  in  Chapter  VI.  The  exact  costs  have, 
whenever  possible,  been  given  ;  but  in  some  cases  the  owners  have 
withheld  permission  for  the  publication  of  these  figures,  usually 
because  the  property  has  been  built  for  a  speculative  purpose  or  with 
a  view  to  ultimate  sale.  In  such  cases  the  architects  have  kindly 
consented  to  give  the  cost  to  anyone  genuinely  interested. 

First   Prize    "£150    Cottage,"    Letchworth,    Herts. 
Percy    B.    Houfton,    Architect.     {Sec p.  25.) 

This  is  a  thoroughly  well-built  cottage,  but  (as  has  already  been 
stated)  its  cost  was  not  £150  in  the  general  acceptation  of  the  phrase. 
The  priced  bill  of  quantities  showed  that  the  cottage  had  actually 
been  erected  for  that  sum,  but  the  prices  gave  the  bare  cost  of  the 
materials  only,  without  the  builder's  profit — usually  reckoned  at 
10  per  cent. — and  architect's  fees.  Further,  fencing  and  other  items 
were  not  allowed  for.  The  actual  cost  would  therefore  amount  to 
about  £175,  and  this  may  be  taken  as  the  lowest  sum  for  which  a 
middle-class  country  home  can  be  erected.  Even  then  the  accom- 
modation is  by  no  means  ideal — a  living-room,  a  working-kitchen  and 
three  bedrooms,  the  accommodation  aimed  at  for  an  agricultural 
labourer.  The  cottage  is,  however,  roomy,  in  this  respect  presenting 
an  agreeable  contrast  to  many  of  the  other  competing  cottages,  and 
there  is  no  waste  space.  A  family,  to  whom  cost  was  a  consideration, 
might  find  this  suitable  to  their  needs.  The  walls  are  of  brick,  rough- 
casted, and  the  timber  of  deal  throughout,  the  outside  woodwork  being 
painted  green.  Mr.  Houfton  is  represented  by  another  example  in 
this  book,  expressly  designed  for  a  country  middle-class  home. 

59 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

Bungalows  specially  designed  for  Messrs.   Oetzmann  &  Co. 
Wm.   Henry  White,  Architect.     (Sec pp.  26  and  56.) 

The  big  furnishing  firms  have  not  been  unmindful  of  the  "  country 
cottage  "  craze,  and  most  of  them  have  prepared  books  of  designs  and 
plans  for  various  inexpensive  cottages  and  bungalows  which  they  will 
erect  at  a  stated  price,  and  which  they  will  also  furnish  for  a  given 
sum.  Messrs.  Oetzmann  &  Co.  are,  however,  the  only  firm  who 
have  commissioned  an  architect  to  prepare  the  designs  and  have 
acknowledged  the  architect's  assistance,  and  their  series  of  plans  are 
therefore,  the  only  ones  that  can  be  illustrated  here.  Moreover,  they 
have  taken  precautions  that  these  designs  shall  not  be  reproduced 
over  and  over  again  without  payment  of  proper  fees. 

The  cheapness  of  these  bungalows  has  only  been  attained  by 
considerable  study,  ingenuity  in  the  planning  and  a  standardisation 
of  the  fittings.  The  larger  bungalows  result  from  the  simple  develop- 
ment in  plan  of  the  smallest  bungalow,  estimated  to  cost  from  £200 
to  £230,  according  to  the  requirements  of  the  local  by-laws.  In  the 
smallest  bungalow  the  plan  is  so  arranged  that  the  kitchen  and  maid's 
bedroom  are  shut  off  from  the  other  rooms,  and  the  maid  can  attend 
to  the  front  door  without  passing  through  the  living-room. 

The  exterior  walls  of  the  bungalows  are  built  of  nine-inch  brick- 
work, coated  with  cement,  rough-casted  on  the  outside,  the  roof  being 
covered  with  red  tiles.  All  the  floors  are  laid  solid  on  concrete 
foundations,  thus  ensuring  against  damp  and  vermin.  The  interior 
walls  are  plastered  and  coloured  with  a  durable  and  washable  dis- 
temper ;  the  frieze,  which  has  a  picture  rail  below  it,  may  be  in 
another  colour,  or,  if  desired,  may  have  a  simple  stencil  pattern. 
The  woodwork  of  the  exterior  may  be  painted  to  suit  the  owner's 
tnstes  ;  a  pale  green  and  white  have  been  selected  by  the  architect. 
The  interior  woodwork  is  partly  painted,  and  in  the  case  of  the  ingle- 
nook,  etc.,  is  stained  dark  brown. 

The  estimates  given  for  these  bungalows  assume  that  the 
cottages  will  be  erected  on  a  level  site,  easily  accessible,  with  labour 
and  materials  plentiful,  and  that  earth  closets  will  be  used.  Extras 
will  include  fees  for  notices,  etc.,  to  the  local  authority,  drainage  and 
water  supply-  The  cottages  can  be  erected  by  any  builder ;  but  in 
such  cases  it  would  be  economical  to  obtain  the  special  features,  such 
as  windows,  porch,  fireplaces,  grates,  ingle-nook,  etc.,  from  Messrs. 
Oetzmann. 

Cottages  at   Cleveleys,   Lancashire. 

Cleveleys  is  a  new  residential  district  four  miles  north  "of 
Blackpool  on  the  Lancashire  coast,  with  which  place  and  Fleet- 
wood it  is  connected  by  tramway.  The  estate  has  been  rapidly 
developed  by  the  owners,  and  to  assist  this  development  a  cottage 
exhibition  with  substantial  prizes  was  instituted  for  1906.  This 
exhibition  was  framed  on  lines  somewhat  superior  to  those  of  ^the 
Letchworth  Exhibition,  the  object  being  to  show  what  could]  be 
done  under  by-laws  and  not,  as    at   the  Garden    City,  what    could 

60 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

be  built  for  a  certain  sum  without  adherence  to  any  by-laws.  No 
stipulated  sum  was  stated  ;  but  certain  accommodation  had  to  be 
provided.  The  cottages  illustrated  show  the  first  and  second 
prize  designs  in  Class  I.  for  detached  cottages  with  not  less  than 
three  bedrooms;  and  the  first  and  second  prize  designs  in  Class  II. 
for  a  pair  of  cottages  with  not  less  than  three  bedrooms  in  each. 

First    Prize. — Detached   Cottage    at   Cleveleys,    Lancashire. 
Albert    E.    Done,    Architect.     (See p.  35.) 

This  cottage  has  brick  walls  eleven  inches  thick,  built  with  a 
hollow  space,  and  rough-cast  on  the  exterior  face  with  Portland 
cement  dashed  with  amber  spar,  not  colour-washed.  The  roof  is 
covered  with  hand-made  red  Staffordshire  tiles.  The  accommoda- 
tion comprises  a  vestibule,  kitchen,  sitting-room,  scullery,  pantry, 
wash-house,  store,  and  coal  cellar  on  the  ground  floor,  with  two 
large  bedrooms,  one  small  one,  bath-room,  and  separate  w.c.  on 
the  upper  floor.  The  house  cubes  16,725  feet,  which  at  4.5-d.  gives 
a  total  cost  of  ^290  (this  including  the  cost  of  the  house  as  built, 
with  sewers,  fencing,  copper  back  boiler  and  cylinder,  and  £10 
for  grates,  but  not  for  forming  garden  and  paths,  nor  wall  decora- 
tions). The  cost  of  the  house  if  duplicated  is  put  at  £285  (including 
builder's  profit  and  architect's  fees,  but  exclusive  of  site,  fencing, 
sewers,  paths,  and  ornamental  rainwater  head).  There  is  concrete 
under  all  walls  and  over  the  site. 

Second    Prize. — Detached    Cottage,    Cleveleys,    Lancashire. 
Bertram    Drummond,    Architect.     (See  p.  35.) 

The  cost  of  this  cottage  is  given  as  ^275  (cubing  13,904  feet 
at  4Jd.).  If  duplicated,  the  cost  is  put  at  ^325  (including  builder's 
profit  and  architect's  fees,  but  exclusive  of  site,  fencing,  sewers 
and  street  making)  ;  it  is  stated  that  "  this  price  could  be  con- 
siderably reduced  on  a  modified  specification."  In  the  kitchen 
scullery  there  is  a  fireclay  enamelled  sink  with  a  wooden  drainer, 
and  a  cupboard  under ;  also  a  portable  copper.  The  cottage  has 
a  concrete  foundation,  with  a  layer  of  asphalt  under  all  walls, 
these  latter  (external)  being  eleven  inches  thick,  with  a  cavity,  built 
of  good  common  bricks,  and  the  upper  part  rough-cast ;  roofs  tiled. 
Special  care  has  been  taken  with  the  construction,  all  external 
wood  lintels  being  covered  with  sheet  lead,  and  the  chimney  sur- 
rounds with  nine-inch  brickwork.  There  are  no  outbuildings,  every- 
thing being  under  one  roof. 

First  Prize. — Pair   of   Cottages,    Cleveleys,    Lancashire. 
Q.    Mangnall    Bluhm,    Architect.     (See p.  $b.) 

The  cost  of  this  pair  of  cottages  is  given  as  /430  •  (4M.  per 
cubic  foot).  If  duplicated,  ^500  (including  builder's  profit  and 
architect's  fees,  but  exclusive  of  site,  fencing  and  sewers).  There 
is  a  cupboard  for  cloaks,  &c,  in  the  porch ;  the  coal-house  is 
covered  over ;  a  wardrobe  is  provided  in  the  first  bedroom,  and 
a  cupboard  in  the  living  room  :  hot  and  cold  water  are  laid  on  to 

61 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

bath,  lavatory  and  sink.  The  foundation  is  of  cement  concrete, 
eight  inches  thick  under  main  walls  and  four  inches  thick  over  whole 
site.  External  walls  are  of  brick  eleven  inches  thick,  with  a  two-inch 
cavity,  rough-cast  and  lime-washed ;  roofs  of  Borrowdale  thick 
green  slates,  from  the  fireproof  slab  partitions  ;  hearths,  &c,  formed 
with  hand-made  Dutch  tiles. 

Second  Prize. — Pair  of  Cottages,   Cleveleys,    Lancashire. 
T.   Faulkner  Shepheard,  Architect.     {See p.  36.) 

The  cost  of  these  cottages,  at  4§d.  per  cubic  foot,  is  given  as 
^222  for  each  cottage ;  if  duplicated,  ^270  (including  builder's  profit 
and  architect's  fees,  but  exclusive  of  site,  fencing,  and  sewers).  On 
the  upper  floor  a  small  cistern  room  is  provided,  containing  cistern, 
hot-water  cylinder,  and  shelves  for  linen.  The  w.c,  ashpit  and  coal- 
place  are  in  the  yard.  Foundations  are  of  concrete,  walls  of  brick 
eleven  inches  thick,  built  with  a  cavity,  and  rough-cast  on  face  ;  roofs  of 
hand-made  Silverdale  tiles.  The  architect's  note  on  the  cottages  is 
as  follows :  "  The  houses  have  been  placed  on  the  site  with  the  yard 
at  the  side,  so  as  to  leave  the  garden  as  uninterrupted  as  possible, 
with  the  windows  of  both  rooms  looking  on  to  it.  The  bathroom, 
while  conveniently  reached  from  the  bedrooms,  and  well  screened 
from  the  hall,  can,  at  the  same  time,  be  used  as  a  downstairs  lavatory. 
The  sinking  of  the  larder  will  tend  to  make  it  cooler  and  better  for 
storage  of  food,  at  the  same  time  giving  greater  shelving  space.  By 
placing  the  cylinder  next  the  cistern,  the  plumber's  work  is  kept 
compactly  together,  whilst  the  cold  water  w7ill  be  guarded  against 
frost  in  the  winter.  Shelves  are  also  provided  round  the  cylinder 
for  the  storage  of  linen." 


*■&* 


Pair  of  Cottages  at  Letchworth  (Garden  City).     M.   H.   Baillie  Scott, 

Architect.     {Seep.  37.) 

These  two  cottages  were  included  in  the  Cheap  Cottages 
Exhibition  of  last  year,  though  they  were  not  erected  specially  for 
that  purpose,  and,  indeed,  their  cost,  some  ^520,  excluded  them  on 
the  ground  of  price  from  competing.  They  show  how  well  the  spirit 
of  the  old  cottages  can  be  transmitted  to  new  ones.  The  cost  was 
enhanced,  however,  by  sundry  works  designed  to  give  a  more  artistic 
character  to  the  buildings,  and  if  these  were  omitted  and  ordinary 
materials  used  the  outlay  could  be  decreased  very  considerably. 
For  instance,  the  tiles  are  old,  and  were  very  carefully  removed  from 
their  original  position  so  that  the  lichen  on  them  should  not  be 
disturbed.  The  doors  were  constructed  of  elm  slabs  in  the  old- 
fashioned  manner,  and  the  whole  of  the  latches  and  other  door 
furniture  were  executed  in  wrought  iron  from  the  architect's  designs. 
The  stair  banisters  and  some  other  woodwork  were  of  oak  removed 
from  other  buildings.  The  general  arrangement  is  very  clearly 
shown  in  the  plans.  There  is  a  very  large  kitchen  paved  with  red 
bricks  communicating  with  a  parlour.  Both  rooms  have  wide  open 
fireplaces  and  window  seats.  The  scullery,  on  a  lower  level,  has  a 
new  combination  sink  and  bath,  an  ingenious  arrangement  by  which 

62 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

the  bottom  of  the  bath  forms  the  sink.  When  the  bath  is  required 
the  fixture  is  turned  over — the  whole  works  easily  on  a  pivot — and 
the  bath  is  then  ready  for  use.  The  two  houses  were  arranged  to 
allow  of  them  being  easily  turned  into  one ;  this  has  since  been  done, 
and  the  single  dwelling  is  now  occupied  by  a  doctor.  The  forecourt 
is  paved,  the  paths  with  old  flagstones,  and  the  four  squares  with 
pebbles  in  colour  patterns.  The  wooden  sundial  in  the  centre  was 
designed  by  the  architect.  Three  bedrooms  are  provided  in  each 
part,  or  six  in  the  single  house. 

Cottage  at  Epping,    Essex.     John   W.    Rhodes,    Architect.     (See  t>.  38.) 

This  is  a  type  of  cottage  adapted  for  week-end  purposes  by 
a  small  family.  The  accommodation  provided  is  a  large  kitchen, 
living-room,  parlour,  usual  offices,  three  bedrooms,  and  a  small 
bed  and  tank  room ;  the  latter  might  be  converted  into  a  bathroom. 
The  cottage  is  built  of  red  brick,  the  upper  part  of  half-timber  with 
rough-cast  panels  on  brick  nogging.  The  roof  is  covered  with  red 
tiles.     The  cost  was  just  under  ^400. 

Bolnhurst,   Llanfairfechan,  N.  Wales.     Herbert  L.   North,  Architect. 

(Seep.  47.) 

This  house  is  an  exceedingly  picturesque  little  dwelling  built  of 
stone,  rough-casted  and  roofed  with  the  old-fashioned  "  Carreg- 
Mwswg,"  or  Moss  slate,  which  is  almost  as  ductile  as  thatch,  as  may 
be  noted  from  the  roof  over  the  attic  window.  The  accommodation 
comprises  dining-  and  drawing-rooms,  kitchen  and  offices  with  three 
bedrooms.     The  cost,  £404,  included  fencing  and  coal  bunk. 

A  Country  Cottage  in  Snowdonia.     Herbert  L.   North,  Architect.  (Sec p.  48.) 

I  include  this  design  by  Mr.  North  as  a  piece  of  ingenious 
planning  for  a  simple  holiday  home,  with  one  big  living  room, 
kitchen  and  offices,  and  three  good  bedrooms  with  bathroom.  The 
cupboard  space  afforded  is  an  exceedingly  good  feature,  for  this 
necessary  accommodation  is  so  often  left  unprovided.  The  estimated 
cost  is  ^450. 

Cottage  at  Polebrook,   Hever,   Kent.     Robert  Weir  Schultz,  Architect. 

(Seep.  49.) 

This  cottage  was  partly  built  with  old  materials  from  a  cottage 
which  had  been  pulled  down,  about  one-third  of  the  material  being 
new.  The  actual  cost  was  ^270,  without  making  any  allowance  for 
the  old  materials.  The  lower  part  is  of  brick,  limewhited,  and  the 
upper  part  is  weather  tiled  on  battens.  The  accommodation  com- 
prises parlour,  living-room,  kitchen  and  scullery,  and  offices,  with 
four  bedrooms  on  the  first  floor.  This  is  an  excellent  and  compact 
plan  for  a  week-end  cottage. 

Bungalow,  Marsh  Lock.     John  W.  Fair  &  Val  Myer,  Architects.    (Seep.  50.) 

This  is  an  inexpensive  little  dwelling,  having  on  the  ground  floor 
large    dining    or    living    room    with    ingle,  cloak  cupboard,    boudoir, 

63 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

verandah,  kitchen,  scullery  and  offices.  On  the  upper  floor  are 
four  bedrooms,  bathroom,  and  linen  cupboard.  The  walls  are  built  of 
local  brick,  rough-casted,  and  the  roof  is  covered  with  red,  sand-faced 
tiles.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architects. 

Two   Cottages  at  Ripley.     Horace  Field,  Architect.     (Sec p.  51.) 

These  cottages  are  on  a  site  overlooking  the  Common  at  Ripley, 
and  are  picturesque  dwellings  of  a  type  suitable  for  middle-class 
people  for  week-end  or  holiday  homes,  and  not  employing  servants. 
They  are  fitted  with  Elkay  and  Cornes'  patent  range,  bath  and 
copper  combined,  an  ingenious  apparatus,  in  which  one  fire  does  all 
the  work  for  the  three  things.  This  fitment  was  very  largely  em- 
ployed in  the  cottages  exhibited  at  the  Garden  City.  The  bath  in 
this  case  stands  in  the  scullery,  and  is  enclosed  in  a  cupboard. 
Working  on  a  hinge  it  lets  down  when  required,  the  water  connections 
and  waste  pipe  being: flexible.  The  walls  are  of  brick,  cdvered  with 
cement,  rough-cast,  and  red  tiles  have  been  used  for  the  roof  and 
front  gables.     The  cost  of  the  two  was  £600. 

Bungalow,    Rotherfield   Peppard,   Oxon.     John  W.    Fair  &  Val   Myer, 

Architects.     (Seep.  52.) 

This  is  a  compact  and  inexpensive  little  country  home,  having 
large  dining  or  living  room  with  ingle,  boudoir,  kitchen,  etc.,  small 
hall,  and  verandah,  on  the  ground  floor,  and  four  bedrooms  and 
bathroom  on  the  upper  floor.  The  walls  are  built  in  local  brick, 
white-washed,  with  sawn  framing  to  the  gables,  and  the  roof  is 
covered  with  old  red  tiles.      Cost  on  application  to  the  architects. 

Cottages  at  Bramley,  Surrey.     Horace  Field,  Architect.     (See  pp.  ?:•,  and  54.) 

These  cottages  were  built  for  outdoor  servants  ;  but  they  belong 
to  a  very  good  class  of  building,  and  with  a  slight  alteration  in  the 
accommodation  could  be  made  suitable  for  week-end  or  country 
homes  for  middle-class  people  without  a  servant.  A  bathroom  could 
be  arranged  over  the  coal  and  woodshed,  entered  off  a  landing  on  the 
staircase,  and  the  parlour  could  be  made  larger.  The  walls  are  of 
brick,  covered  with  cement,  rough-cast,  and  the  roofs  are  covered 
with  red  sand-faced  tiles.     The  cost  of  the  two  was  £665. 

"  Little  Gravels,"   Burghclere,   Hants.     Francis  Bacon,  Junr.,  Architect. 

(See pp.  54  and  -,-..) 

This  is  a  thatched  cottage,  situated  among  wild  and  beautiful 
scenery,  and  is  planned  to  take  special  advantage  of  a  rapidly  sloping 
site.  All  the  principal  rooms  are  on  the  main  ground  floor,  level  with 
the  highest  point  of  the  site,  while  the  kitchen,  scullery,  and  servant's 
bedroom  are  placed  under  in  a  basement  floor,  which  is  practically 
all  above  ground,  at  the  lowest  part  of  the  site,  and  for  which  very 
little  excavation  was  needed.  The  materials  used  in  construction  are 
red,  hard-baked  local  bricks,  the  roofing  being  of  rye  straw,  in  no 
place  less  than  fourteen  inches  thick.  The  walls  above  the  basement 
floor  are  only  nine   inches  thick,  being  sufficiently  protected  by  the 

64 


VIEW     FROM     STANSTED     PARK. 
Photograph   by   the  City  Art  Photo.   Co. 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


THE     AVENUE     COTTAGE,     STANSTED,     ESSEX. 
Designed  by  the  late  JOSEPH  CAYGIU. 


casement  windows.     Roofs  covered  with  red  tiles.     Cost  about  £600.     See  p.  73, 


H 


65 


THE     AVENUE     COTTAGE.     STANSTED      FROM     THE      ENTRANCE     GATE. 


THE     AVENUE     COTTAGE.     STANSTED,      FROM     THE      LAWN.     (See  previous  page.) 
Photographs  by  the  City  Art  Photo.   Co. 


66 


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67 


THE     AVENUE     COTTAGE,     STANSTED  :      THE     HALL     AND     STAIRCASE.    (Seep.  65.) 
Photograph  by   the  City  Art  Photo.   Co. 


™ — ..,'■;  7J-. — 


S.T20O 


fl 


GHYLL    COTTAGE.     GOUDHURST,     KENT. 
A.    T.  BOLTON,   Architect. 

Designed,  but  not  erected.    Local  brick  for  ground  floor,  upper  part  in  half  timber,  and  faced  with  local  red  tiles. 
Roof  similarly  covered.     Estimated  cost  to  build,  ^800.     See  p.  73. 


68 


COTTAGE     AT     ORPINGTON,     KENT. 
P.   UORLEY  HORDER,   Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-cast,  with  red-tiled  roof  and  wood  casement  windows.     Cost,  £650.     See  p.  74. 


69 


GROUMD   FLOOR    PL^n 

COTTAGE  AT  FARNHAM,  SURREY. 

NIVCH,    WIGBLESWORTH  and   FALKHOI,    Architects. 


FIRST    Fl_Oof\   PLAM 


An  altered  cottage,  built  of  brick,  lime-whited,  with  red  tiles  on  roof,  casement  windows  with  leaded  lights.     See  p.  74. 


70 


COTTAGE     AT     FARNHAM      SURREY.     («« 


71 


GARDEN     FRONT. 


A      J 


COTTAGE     AT     BRAMPTON.     NEAR     CHESTERFIELD.     NOTTS. 
PMCr   B.    HOUFTON,   Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted  in  cement,  and  lime-whitened  ;  roof  covered  with  orange-red  Barton  tiles.  Casement  windows 
with  leaded  lights.  Exterior  woodwork  painted  bright  green.  Cost,  including  drainage,  fencing,  and  forming  garden, 
j£6o2.     See  p.  74. 


72 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

eaves,  which  project  two  feet  beyond  them.  All  window  frames  are 
set  directly  under  the  wall  plate,  which,  for  the  benefit  of  the  layman, 
it  may  be  explained,  is  the  fiat  timber  fixed  along  the  top  of  the  walls 
to  which  the  feet  of  the  roof  rafters  are  secured.  The  variation  in 
the  height  of  the  eaves  is  due  to  there  being  two  windows  in  the 
principal  rooms,  one  raised  for  ventilation,  and  one  to  see  out  of 
comfortably.  Gutters  are  not  provided  for  the  thatch,  the  drip  in 
this  case  being  provided  for  by  a  land-drain  laid  one  foot  underground 
directly  below  the  eaves.  Between  the  roofs  there  is,  however,  a 
secret  lead  gutter  which  is  drained  by  a  stack-pipe.  To  guard 
further  against  the  possible  ingress  of  rain  there  are  two  projecting 
courses  of  brick  on  the  bases  of  the  chimney  stacks,  forming  a  groove 
into  which  the  thatch  is  notched  as  it  were.  The  interior  fittings  and 
decorations  have  been  kept  extremely  simple,  the  aim  being  to 
produce  as  cottage-like  an  effect  as  possible.  For  this  reason  the 
fire-places  are  left  in  plain  brick,  stout  iron  bars  being  built  into  brick 
hobs.  The  chimney-pieces  have  oak  shelves  in  the  best  rooms,  and 
elsewhere  are  of  deal  painted  white.  The  casements  are  of  wrought 
iron.  The  cost  of  the  cottage,  including  a  well  and  drainage,  was 
£550. 

The  Avenue  House,  Stansted,  Essex.     Designed  by  the  late  Joseph  Caygill. 

{Sec pp.  65—68.) 

This  cottage  was  built  as  the  steward's  house  for  the  Stansted 
Park  Estate,  and  occupies  a  site  in  a  corner  of  the  Park,  looking 
down  an  old  elm  avenue  that  formed  an  approach  to  the  old  Stansted 
Hall,  long  since  destroyed.  Hence  the  name.  This  is  a  very  cheap 
house.  It  is  built  of  timber  framing  on  a  brick  base,  with  brick 
between  the  timbers  above,  or  as  it  is  technically  called,  "  brick- 
nogging."  The  exterior  is  faced  with  cement  rough-cast,  lime- 
washed.  The  windows  have  wood  casements  and  frames.  The 
roofs  are  covered  with  red  tiles.  The  sitting-rooms  are  16  ft.  square, 
and  the  bedrooms  above  them,  by  reason  of  the  projection,  nearly 
18  ft.  by  16  ft.  In  the  cottage  as  built  there  is  no  bathroom,  but  one 
could  easily  be  provided  over  the  pantry  and  coal  cellar.  The 
?econd  entrance  and  hall  was  provided  for  business  callers  to  the 
study.  The  sitting-hall  is  panelled  in  old  oak,  and  some  old  carved 
oak  has  been  utilised  in  the  staircase.  The  cost  (about  15  years  ago) 
was  ^600 ;  but  this  would  probably  be  exceeded  at  the  present  day. 

Design  for  Qhyll  Cottage,  Goudhurst,   Kent.      Arthur  T.  Bolton, 
Architect.     {Seep.  b8.) 

This  house  has  not  been  erected,  but  the  design  is  a  good 
example  of  a  comfortable  country  house  in  character  with  the  local 
building.  The  walls  are  shown  of  brick  up  to  the  first  floor,  and 
above  of  timber  framing  part  faced  with  wall  tiling,  and  part  shown 
as  half-timber-work.  The  site  intended  was  on  the  level  plateau  of 
the  picturesque  village  of  Goudhurst,  which  is  situated  on  a  hill 
in  the  Weald  of  Kent,  and  has  fine  views  over  the  surrounding 
country.     There  was   sufficient  ground  to  form  a  garden  as  shown 

1  73 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

in  the  drawing.  The  accommodation  on  the  ground  floor  was  to 
include  a  drawing-room,  study,  dining-room,  small  hall,  kitchen  and 
offices,  and  there  were  to  be  six  bedrooms  and  bathroom  in  the  first 
and  attic  floors.  The  finish  throughout  was  intended  to  be  very 
simple,  and  the  materials  all  local.     The  cost  was  estimated  at  £800. 

Cottage  at  Orpington,   Kent.     P.  Morley   Horder,  Architect.    (Seep.  69.) 

Mr.  Horder  has  a  reputation  for  small  and  inexpensive  country 
homes,  of  which  this  is  an  example.  The  cottage  contains  dining- 
room,  drawing-room,  small  sitting-hall,  kitchen,  &c.  ;  and  on  the 
upper  floor  are  four  bedrooms,  bathroom,  and  linen-room.  The 
architect  estimates  the  fair  cost  at  £650  ;  it  was  really  erected  for 
less,  but  the  builder  lost  money  on  the  contract. 

Cottage  at  Farnham,  Surrey.     Niven,  Wigglesworth,  &  Falkner,  Architects. 

{See  pp.  70,  71.) 

This  cottage  is  a  good  illustration  of  the  capabilities  of  these 
architects  in  the  way  of  adaptation.  The  plans  show  the  new  addi- 
tions with  the  walls  blocked  in.  A  new  dining-room,  kitchen,  and  an 
entrance  porch  and  bay  have  been  built  on  to  the  old  cottage.  Two 
rooms  have  been  thrown  into  one  to  make  a  large  sitting-room,  a 
pantry  and  larder  being  enclosed  out  of  the  space.  On  the  upper 
floor  two  bedrooms  have  been  added,  making  five  in  all,  and  a 
bathroom  and  linen  cupboard  provided.  Cost  on  application  to  the 
architects. 

Cottage  at  Brampton,  near  Chesterfield.     Percy  B.   Houfton,   Architect. 

(Seep.  72.) 

This  cottage  is  built  of  g-inch  brick  walls,  rough-casted  in 
cement,  and  lime-whitened.  The  roof  is  covered  with  orange-red 
Barton  tiles,  and  the  woodwork  is  painted  bright  green.  The 
casement  windows  are  fitted  with  leaded  lights.  The  accommodation 
on  the  ground  floor  is  large  living-room,  drawing-room,  small  hall, 
kitchen,  scullery,  and  offices.  On  the  first  floor  there  are  four 
bedrooms,  bathroom,  linen  closet,  etc.  A  step  ladder,  folding  back 
to  the  wall  when  not  in  use,  leads  to  a  small  boxroom  in  the 
roof.  The  cost  including  drainage,  fencing  and  forming  garden,  was 
,£692. 

The  Paddock,   Ruskington,   Lines.      Arthur  W.  Brewill  and  Basil   E.   Baily, 

Architects.     (See p.  75.) 

The  drawings  represent  alterations  and  additions  to  an  old 
cottage,  and  the  old  and  new  work  are  differently  marked  on  the 
plans.  Originally  the  cottage  was  a  plain  red  brick  building  with  a 
pantile  roof,  and  the  additions  were  made  to  harmonise  with  the  old 
building.  Owing  to  the  old  walls  being  only  nine  inches  thick  the 
whole  of  the  upper  portion  was  covered  with  rough-cast,  with  a  wood 
mould  at  the  base  to  drip  the  wet  clear  of  the  lower  portion.  One 
of  the  old  sitting-rooms  was  converted  into  an  entrance  hall,  a  new 
drawing-room  was  added,  and  a  surgery  (the  owner  being  a  doctor), 
also    bed,    dressing,    linen    and    bath    rooms.       The    cost,   including 

74 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 


UPPER     GROUND     FLOOR. 


THE     PADDOCK.     RUSKINGTON.     LINCOLNSHIRE,     AS     ALTERED. 
A      W.    BSEW1LL   and  BASIL   E.    BAILY,    Architects. 

The  additions  to  an  old  cottage  consist  of  new  drawing-room,  two  bedrooms,  linen  cupboard  and  surgery,  rough- 
casting upper  portion  and  converting  remainder.  The  cost  was  /650.  The  roof  is  of  pantiles,  and  the  lower 
part  of  red  brick.     See  p.   74. 


75 


From   a  photograph   by  truing. 


lUWClWClWITBYl  COALS  \m[^ 


m 


otg  BOO  IL  UK 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


COTTAGE     AT     SILCHESTER     COMMON.     NEAR     READING. 
MERV1N  £     MACARTHEY,    Architect. 

Lower  part  built  of  brick,  upper  part  of  tarred  weather  boarding.     The  drawing-room  is  a  later  addition.    Cost,  about  ,£650. 
See  p.  79. 


76 


IN     THE     GARDEN. 


THE     HALL 

COTTAGE  AT  SILCHESTER  COMMON,    NEAR   READING.     (See  opposite  page.) 

Photographs  by   Iruing. 


77 


CROUND    PLAN 

WEEK     END     COTTAGE     AT     TRIMINGHAM.     NORFOLK. 
H.    G.   IBB£RSON,  Architect 

A  country  holiday  home,  built  of  brick,  rough-cast.     Cost,  £650.     See  p.  79. 


78 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

converting  and  fitting  up  the  old  portion,  was  about  ^650.  The 
out-buildings  consist  of  stabling  for  three  horses,  with  harness-room, 
coach-house,  coals,  etc.  etc. 

Cottage  at  Silchester  Common,   near  Reading.     Mervyn   E.  Macartney, 

Architect.     {Sec pp.  76,  77.) 

This  cottage  is  situated  a  short  distance  from  the  ruins  of  the 
old  Roman  city,  the  discovery  and  excavation  of  which  have 
aroused  so  much  antiquarian  interest  during  the  last  few  years.  It 
occupies  the  site  of  a  former  building  that  was  burnt  down,  and  is 
owned  and  was  designed  by  Mr.  Macartney  for  his  own  country 
home. 

It  contains  dining-room,  drawing-room,  study,  and  four  bed- 
rooms, besides  kitchen  and  offices.  The  lower  part  of  the  cottage  is 
built  of  brick  and  the  upper  part  of  tarred  weather  boarding.  That 
it  is  a  typical  English  cottage  home  can  be  gauged  from  the 
illustration. 

As  regards  the  interior,  the  architect  says  there  is  nothing  of 
note  if  the  panelling  in  the  drawing-room  is  excepted.  This  is 
carried  out  in  oak  and  is  seven  feet  high.  The  charming  little 
entrance  hall  with  its  tiled  floor  presents  a  very  inviting  aspect  to 
the  visitor.  The  interior  effect  is  heightened  by  the  difference  of 
level  in  the  various  rooms.  The  drawing-room  is  situated  in  a 
one  storey  annex  on  the  left  of  the  big  view. 

On  the  garden  very  considerable  care  and  trouble  have  been 
expended.  The  view  looking  down  the  herbaceous  border  affords 
a  very  delightful  vista,  which  can  be  matched  by  several  equally 
charming  views  taken  from  other  standpoints.  The  house  has  been 
built  about  eleven  years,  but  the  arrangement  of  gardens  has  been  a 
constant  occupation  during  that  time.  The  cost  of  this  beautiful 
little  home,  exclusive  of  the  garden  work,  was  about  ^650,  but  it  is 
doubtful  whether  it  could  be  carried  out  at  quite  so  low  a  figure 
to-day,  the  cost  of  building  having  risen  considerably  during  the  last 
decade.  It  may  be  of  interest  to  mention  that  Mr.  Macartney  is  an 
authority  on  gardens. 

Week- End   Cottage  at  Trimingham,   Norfolk.     H.  G.  Ibberson, 
Architect.     (Seep.  78.) 

This  is  purely  a  country  holiday  home,  and  is  designed  strictly 
with  a  view  to  saving  labour  in  a  dwelling  where  only  one  domestic 
is  possible.  The  large  verandah  opens  out  of  both  the  sitting  hall 
and  also  the  kitchen,  so  that  meals  can  be  served  there  during  the 
summer  months.  The  bathroom  and  lavatory  are  situated  on  the 
ground  floor  (and  is  large  enough  to  make  another  bedroom  in  an 
emergency),  also  two  bedrooms,  there  being  a  third  bedroom  in  the 
roof  with  linen  cupboard,  wardrobe  and  boxroom.  The  walls  are 
brick,  rough-casted,  with  wrought  iron  casements  and  leaded  glass. 
The  cost  was  ^650. 

I  7g 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

Pair  of  Cottages,   Seacroft,    Lincolnshire.     Arthur  W.    Brewill  & 
Basil  E.   Baily,  Architects.     (Sec  p.  83.) 

These  cottages  are  built  of  brick,  with  upper  part  rough-casted, 
and  have  red-tiled  roofs.  They  contain  small  entrance  hall,  parlour, 
kitchen,  scullery,  etc.,  on  the  ground  floor,  and  have  four  bedrooms 
on  the  upper  floor.  The  cottages  are  let  to  golfers  for  the  summer 
months.     The  cost  of  the  pair  was  ^650. 

"  Lonnin  Garth,"  Portinscale,   Cumberland.     Douglas  and  Minshull, 
Architects.      (Sec pp.  84,  85.) 

This  very  picturesque  cottage,  situated  amid  beautiful  surround- 
ings, is  a  home  of  the  modern  type,  having  a  large  living-room  and 
kitchen  as  the  main  features  of  the  ground  floor.  In  the  living-room 
is  a  dining  recess,  and  a  smoking  porch  opens  off  one  corner  of  it. 
On  the  first  floor  there  are  four  bedrooms,  linen  cupboard,  a  large 
cupboard  and  bathroom  ;  and  on  the  attic  floor  three  more  bedrooms 
and  a  cistern  room.  The  lower  portion  of  the  house  and  the 
chimney-stacks  are  constructed  of  local  stone  in  roughly  coursed 
ashlar,  and  the  upper  part  of  brick,  rough-casted.  The  tops  of  the 
chimney-stacks  are  finished  in  brick.  The  roofs  are  covered  with 
m  estmorland  green  slates.  The  cost  was  ^700,  which  is  extremely 
Woderate  for  the  accommodation  given. 

Cottage  on  the  Broadview  Estate,  near  Rotherfield,  Sussex.     Theodore 
Gregg  and  Lionel  G.  Detmar,  Architects.     (See p.  86.) 

This  house  is  one  of  several  about  to  be  erected  on  the  above 
estate,  which  is  situated  not  far  from  Crowboro'  Beacon  in  Sussex. 
They  are  being  undertaken  in  response  to  a  demand  which  has 
recently  sprung  up  chiefly  among  motorists,  etc.,  for  week-end  homes 
in  the  country.  In  the  plan  the  idea  has  been  to  provide  one  main 
living-room  of  ample  dimensions  containing  a  wide  bay  and  ingle 
nook;  this  is  entitled,  perhaps  erroneously,  drawing-room  on  the 
plan ;  the  other  sitting-room  is  a  small  one  of  secondary  importance. 
The  staircase  is  contained  in  a  square  hall  and  lands  conveniently  on 
the  first  floor,  giving  access  to  all  four  bedrooms,  bath,  and  w.c, 
without  any  space  being  wasted  in  passage,  etc.  The  materials 
proposed  to  be  used  are  hollow  red  brick  plinth  with  9  in.  walls  over, 
covered  in  lime  and  pea-beach  rough-casted  gravel,  and  with  half 
timber  in  the  gables,  etc.,  and  old  tiles  on  the  roof.  The  external 
staircase  to  the  balcony  on  the  first  floor — a  somewhat  unusual 
feature — was  designed  to  meet  a  special  requirement.  Both  storeys 
are  8  ft.  high.  The  cubical  contents  are  21,888  ft.,  and  it  is  expected 
that  the  cost  will  be  between  ^800  and  ^900. 

Cottage  with  High  Chimneys,  Farnham,  Surrey.     Niven,  Wigglesworth, 
&  Falkner,  Architects.     (Seep.  89.) 

This  is  another  interesting  cottage  at  Farnham,  the  abnormal 
height  of  the  chimneys  being  due  to  the  existence  of  a  row  of  high 
trees  on  the  north  side  of  the  cottage.     When  the  cottage  was  built 

80 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

the  land  to  the  south  was  in  another  ownership,  and  the  principal 
windows  had  therefore  to  be  placed  looking  east  and  west.  Over 
the  plan  the  architect,  Mr.  Falkner,  was  accused  by  "  The  Studio" 
of  being  wilfully  playful  ;  but  this  is  quite  erroneous,  and  it  works 
perfectly  well,  not  being  so  complicated  in  use  as  it  appears  on  paper. 
Here  again  is  an  instance  of  economy  by  adopting  a  plain  roof.  The 
accommodation  is  drawing-room,  dining-room,  smoking-room,  small 
study  (future  extension  shown  on  plan),  small  hall,  kitchen  scullery, 
and  enclosed  courtyard.  On  the  first  floor  there  are  four  bedrooms 
and  bathroom.     The  cost  is  set  down  as  from  ^750  to  .£1,000. 

Cottage  at   Rosemount,   near  Blairgowrie,   N.B.      T.   M.  Cappon,  Architect. 

(Sec p.  90.) 

This  is  a  typical  Scottish  dwelling  of  the  modern  domestic  class, 
built  of  brick,  with  hollow  walls,  rough-cast,  and  tiled  roof.  The 
windows  are  casements.  The  accommodation  on  the  ground  floor 
comprises  drawing-room,  sitting-hall,  dining-room,  small  vestibule, 
kitchen,  pantry,  servant's  bedroom,  wash-house  and  cycle-house. 
The  arrangements  are  so  planned  that  the  servant  can  answer  the 
front  door  or  attend  to  duties  upstairs  without  entering  the  sitting- 
hall.  On  the  upper  floor  there  are  three  bedrooms,  dressing-room, 
linen-room,  bathroom,   and   box-room.      The  cost  was  about  ^850. 

The  Dial  House,  Shortfield  Common,   Farnham,  Surrey.      Niven, 
Wigglesworth,  &  Falkner,   Architects.     (See pp.  91,  92.) 

Certain  architects  have  shown  peculiar  aptitude  in  adapting  old 
buildings  to  new  uses  as  improved  dwellings.  The  cottage  here 
illustrated  is  a  case  in  point.  It  was  altered  for  an  artist  who  lives 
in  it.  A  study  of  the  plans  shows  how  the  transformation  was 
effected  and  how  little  of  the  old  structural  work  has  been  altered. 
The  walls  and  most  of  the  floors  remain.  The  roof  having  been 
built  in  the  middle  of  the  last  century  was  not  of  the  strength  that 
earlier  builders  would  have  made  it  and  could  not  be  preserved. 
There  was  a  rise  between  the  floors  at  front  and  back  which  the 
architects  used  to  advantage.  The  large  sundial  on  the  wall 
between  the  windows — which,  by  the  way,  gives  the  name  to  the 
house — was  modelled  by  the  owner.  As  can  be  seen  in  the  plan 
before  alteration  there  was  a  hop  kiln  on  the  ground  floor,  the  upper 
floor  of  which  now  makes  a  fine  studio,  the  lower  part  is  devoted  to 
workshops  and  dark-room,  while  the  old  ventilator  serves  as  a  look- 
out from  which  the  magnificent  country  from  Hindhead  to  Selborne 
can  be  seen.  The  beautiful  dwelling  which  has  thus  been  recon- 
structed with  so  little  alteration  in  the  main  lines  of  the  previous 
buildings  is  a  testimony  to  the  skill  of  the  architects.  It  shows  how 
well  the  previously  existing  walls  have  been  utilised  and  how  little 
cutting  about  has  been  done.  The  long  room,  of  which  a  view  is 
shown,  is  a  very  pleasant  room  in  summer  or  winter,  as  it  faces  due 
south.  At  night  a  curtain  is  drawn  across  it  to  keep  the  fireplace 
end  cosy  and  warm.     The  room  shows  the  touch  of  the  artist  hand, 

81 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

and  how  much  it  gains  from  the  beautiful  specimens  of  old  furniture 
can  easily  be  estimated.  The  interior  panelling  and  the  front  door 
were  both  collected  by  the  owner  in  Brittany.  The  cost  of  such  a 
house  new  would  be  from  £850  to  ^1,500. 

Cottage  at   Letchworth,    Herts.     H.   M.    Fletcher,    Architect.     (See p.  97.) 

This  is  one  of  the  improved  modern  cottages  erected  at  the 
Garden  City.  The  materials  are  brick,  rough-casted,  with  red 
tiles  to  the  roof,  and  casement  windows.  The  plan  has  the  large 
living-room  with  dining-room  communicating  by  sliding  doors,  and 
conveniently  served  through  the  pantry.  It  will  be  noted  as  an 
excellent  point  in  the  plan  that  the  living-room  in  no  way  serves 
the  purpose  of  a  passage,  and  that  the  servant  can  answer  the 
front  door  and  attend  to  her  duties  upstairs  without  traversing  it. 
The  upper  floor  has  four  bedrooms  and  a  bathroom.  This  is  one 
of  the  most  compact  and  convenient  plans  for  a  small  cottage  home 
in  the  book.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architect. 

Cottage  at  Sutton  Veny,   near  Warminster,  Wilts.     C.   H.   B.  Quennell, 

Architect.     (See pp.  98,  99.) 

This  is  a  small  farmhouse  amid  picturesque  surroundings.  The 
walls  are  built  hollow  to  resist  the  strong  winds  that  blow  from  the 
Downs,  and  are  faced  with  red  bricks,  while  the  roofs  are  covered 
with  red  tiles.  The  accommodation  comprises  living-room  with  bay, 
dining-room,  office  for  interviewing  farm  hands,  who  can  be  seen 
without  entering  the  body  of  the  house,  kitchen,  scullery,  pump-room, 
cycle-room  and  offices.  On  the  first  floor  are  four  bedrooms  and 
bathroom,  and  in  the  attics  two  other  rooms.  In  the  basement  is  a 
good  coal  cellar.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architect. 

Cottage  at  Farnborough,   Hants.     C.  H.   B.  Quennell,  Architect. 

(See  pp.  99,  100.) 

This  house  is  built  with  "  hollow  "  walls  of  brick,  rough-casted, 
with  red  tiled  roof  and  wood  casement  windows.  The  accommoda- 
tion comprises  a  drawing-room  with  bay,  dining-room  with  bay,  and 
small  verandah,  study,  kitchen,  pantry  arranged  as  servery,  scullery, 
and  offices.  There  are  five  bedrooms  and  bathroom  upstairs.  Cost 
on  application  to  the  architect. 

Cottage  at  Beeston,  Notts.     Arthur  W.   Brewill  and  Basil  E.   Baily, 

Architects.     (Sec  p.  105.) 

This  house  contains  entrance  hall,  dining-room,  parlour,  with 
kitchen  and  out-offices,  five  bedrooms,  bathroom,  linen,  etc.,  and  is 
built  of  red  sand  bricks,  the  upper  portion  being  covered  with  rough- 
cast, and  roofed  in  with  green  slates.  The  windows  are  filled 
with  leaded  lights,  and  the  woodwork  is  painted  white.  The  cost 
was  ^850. 

82 


COTTAGES,  SEACROFT,  LINCOLNSHIRE. 

A.    W.    BREWILL  and  BASIL   E.   BAILY.    Architects. 


Built  of  brick,  with   upper  part   rough-casted,  and  red  tiled  roof.     Let  to  golfers  during  summer  months.      Cost 
for  the  pair,  £650.     See  p.  80. 


83 


GENERAL     VIEW. 


Cprai.it  ftfiul. 


Jir'iJ/oi.T. 


LONNIN     GARTH."     PORTINSCALE.     CUMBERLAND. 
DOUGLAS  and  MINSHUll,   Architects. 

Lower  portion  and  chimney  stacks  of  local  stone.     Upper  portion  of  brick,  rough-casted,  and  tops  of  stacks  of 
brick.     Roofs  covered  with  Westmoreland  green  slates.     Cost  ,£700.     See  p.  80. 


84 


DINING     RECESS      SHOWING     STAIRCASE. 


PARLOUR,     SHOWING     SMOKING     PORCH. 

"LONNIN     GARTH,"     PORTINSCALE,     CUMBERLAND.      (See  opposite  page.) 


85 


ENTRANCE     FRONT. 


COTTAGE     ON     THE     BROADVIEW      ESTATE,      ROTHERFIELD,     SUSSEX. 
THEODORE   GREGG  and   LIONEL    G.    DETMAR.    Architects. 

To  be  built  with  hollow  red  brick  plinth,  with  9  inch  walls  over,  covered  in  lime  and  pea  beach,  rough-cast, 
with  half  timbers  in  the  gables,  and  old  tiles  on  the  roof.  Estimated  cost,  between  ,£800  and  /900. 
See  p.  80. 


8G 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

Cottage  in  the  Gloucestershire  Cotswold  District.     Ernest  Gimson, 

Architect.  {Seep.  iot>.) 
The  cottage  here  shown,  situated  amid  beautiful  natural 
surroundings  in  the  Gloucestershire  Cotswold  district,  is  an 
example  of  Mr.  Ernest  Gimson's  work,  others  of  which  are  re- 
ferred to  on  p.  93.  The  walls  are  of  stone  two  feet  thick  quarried 
from  a  bank  opposite,  and  the  timber  is  of  larch  and  English 
oak  from  the  neighbouring  woods.  The  roof  is  of  straw  thatch 
14  inches  thick.  There  are  four  bedrooms  and  a  large  workroom  on 
the  first  floor  and  another  bedroom  above.  The  Cotswold  district 
has  long  been  famed  for  stone  cottages,  and  without  doubt  the  right 
material  to  use  for  building  is  the  stone  in  the  neighbourhood.  The 
majority  of  the  newer  cottages  have  been  roofed  with  stone  slates,  or 
thin  slabs  of  stone  used  like  slates  after  ancient  examples.  Thatch, 
however,  forms  a  much  softer  and  more  graceful  outline  for  the 
roofing.  The  finely-grown  trees  show  how  a  little  care  and  patience 
in  the  selection  of  the  site  will  make  an  immense  difference  in  the 
appearance  of  the  whole.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architect. 

Pair  of  Cottages  on  the  Shore,    Llanfairfechan,   N.  Wales. 
Herbert  L.   North,  Architect.     {Seep.  107.) 

These  houses  are  just  completed,  and  are  built  of  brick,  rough- 
casted, the  roofs  being  covered  with  thick  small  slates,  with  green 
ones  to  form  a  pattern.  The  front  doors  are  of  elm,  and  native  oak- 
has  been  used  for  the  verandah  posts.  The  long  roofs  give 
protection  against  the  prevailing  south-west  and  north-east  gales. 
The  windows  have  leaded  lights.  By  a  system  of  folding  doors  the 
downstairs  can  be  made  drawing-room,  dining-room,  and  hall,  or 
one  big  room  with  the  front  door  and  stairs  screened  off.  The  open 
ceilings  are  whitewashed  and  stencilled  with  a  pattern  of  roses  and 
periwinkle.     The  cost,  including  fencing  and  paths,  was  £910. 

"  Red  roofs,"   Henley-on-Thames,  Oxon.     John   W.    Fair  &   Val  Myer, 

Architects.     {See  p.  108.) 

This  is  a  bungalow  residence  at  this  popular  river  resort.  It 
contains  a  large  dining  or  living  hall,  with  verandah,  smoking-room, 
two  bedrooms,  kitchen,  servant's  bedroom,  scullery,  and  entrance 
lobby  on  the  ground  floor.  The  plan  is  so  arranged  that  the 
servant  can  answer  the  door  or  proceed  upstairs  without  entering 
the  living  hall.  On  the  upper  floor  are  a  boudoir,  two  more 
bedrooms,  bathroom,  etc.  The  walls  are  built  in  local  brick,  with 
a  deep-channelled  joint,  and  whitewashed.  The  roof  is  covered 
with  local  red,  sand- faced  tiles,  and  the  exterior  woodwork  is 
painted  white..  The  fireplaces  and  the  dining  hall  ingle  are 
constructed  in  red  brickwork,  with  a  wide  puttied  joint  and  bands 
of  old  Dutch  tiles.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architects. 

Cottage,  Buckhurst  Hill,  Essex.      A.   Needham  Wilson,  Architect. 

{See  p.  109.) 

In  designing  this  cottage  an  attempt  was  made  to  break  away 
from  the  stereotyped  plan  of  middle-class  dwelling,  and  to  combine 

87 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

strict  economy  of  space,  and  the  minimum  of  passage,  with  cheap 
construction,  and  the  reduction  of  housework.  The  walls  are  built 
of  stock  bricks,  rough-cast  outside,  and  the  roof  is  covered  with 
Broseley  tiles  laid  on  boarding  and  felt.  The  joinery,  both  external 
and  internal,  is  of  the  simplest  character,  and  all  the  internal  walls 
are  distempered.  Use  was  made  of  the  fall  of  the  ground  to  secure  a 
difference  of  level  on  the  ground  floor,  thus  imparting  some  interest 
to  the  treatment  of  the  hall.  It  was  felt  that  a  large  living-room  is 
essential  for  modern  requirements,  and  that  in  this  type  of  dwelling 
a  large  drawing-room  is  not  necessary,  though  it  should  be  capable 
of  enlargement  on  occasion.  The  total  cost  of  the  cottage  was  ^770, 
including  fencing,  electric  bells,  gas,  and  all  decoration. 

"Knighton"  and   "  Northernhay."     Two  Cottages  in  Boston  Square, 
Hunstanton.     H.  Q.   Ibberson,  Architect.     (Sec pp.  no — 112.) 

The  majority  of  seaside  houses  are  poor  in  the  extreme  from  an 
architectural  point  of  view.  This  is  probably  due  to  the  speculative 
beginnings  of  most  of  our  seaside  resorts,  the  ground  usually  being 
acquired  by  a  speculative  builder  or  a  land  development  company 
whose  efforts,  aided  by  the  local  Railway  Company,  result  in  the 
gradual  dotting  over  the  area  of  cheap  dwellings  of  the  flimsiest  and 
cheapest  description,  designed  mainly  to  induce  people  to  occupy 
them  because  of  the  cheap  rents,  and  the  hope  of  profit  from  summer 
boarders.  It  is  pleasant  to  be  able  to  show  a  few  seaside  dwellings 
that  do  not  come  within  this  category,  and  these  two  cottages  are 
interesting  not  only  in  themselves  but  as  a  solution  of  a  little 
problem  in  planning.  The  sites  are  very  narrow  and  deep,  and  face 
each  other  on  opposite  sides  of  a  garden,  which  belongs  to  the  same 
owner.  This  garden  will  never  be  built  on.  The  gardens  are 
necessarily  small,  but  the  seats  at  the  ends  of  the  pergolas  are  so 
arranged  that  complete  privacy  is  attained.  The  walls  are  of  the 
local  carstone,  having  large  rough  angle  stones,  the  joints  generally 
being  brushed  well  back  with  a  stiff  brush  and  "  dashed  "  with 
the  stone  dust.  The  bays  and  chimneys  are  of  rough-cast,  and  the 
roofs  are  covered  with  Bedford  hand-made  tiles.  The  accommoda- 
tion of  "Knighton"  comprises  on  the  ground  floor,  drawing-room, 
dining-room,  kitchen,  scullery,  and  offices ;  and  on  the  first  floor, 
five  bedrooms,  bath,  and  linen  cupboard.  The  cost  was  ^756. 
"Northernhay"  has  much  the  same  accommodation,  but  there  is 
a  "  den  "  opening  out  of  the  dining-room  ;  there  are  four  bedrooms 
and  a  dressing-room  on  the  first  floor,  and  a  boxroom  in  the  attic. 
The  cost  was  ^968. 

Cottage  in  The  Bourne,  Farnham,  Surrey.     Niven,  Wigglesworth,  & 
Falkner,  Architects.     (Sec pp.  112,  113.) 

This  cottage  is  an  illustration  of  a  successful  adaptation  of  a 
small  farmhouse  to  the  purposes  of  a  country  cottage  residence. 
The  hatched  lines  on  the  plan  show  the  old  walls,  and  the  blocked- 
in  portions  the  new  work.  As  altered  the  house  is  a  delightful  one  in 
a  still  more  charming  garden.     The  drawing-room  was  formed  out  of 

8S 


GROUND     PLAN 


COTTAGE.     WITH      HIGH     CHIMNEYS.     AT     FARNHAM,     SURREY. 
NIVEN,    WIGGLESWORTH  nnrf  FALKNEIS,   Arahilacis. 

Built  of  brick,   rough-casted,   with  red   tiled  ro:>f.       Wood  casement   windows,    with    leaded 
lights.     Cost,  about  £750  to  £Soo.     See  p.  80. 


89 


GENERAL     VIEW 


ENTRANCE     FRONT. 


COTTAGE     AT     ROSEMOUNT,      NEAR     BLAIRGOWRIE,      N  B. 
T.    «.    CAPPOH.   Architect 

Built  of  brick,  with  hollow  walls,  rough  cast.     Roof  covered  with  slates.     Cost,  about  £850.     See  p.  81. 


90 


VIEW     FROM     THE     SIDE. 


aa — j  b 
■OLDPLflH 


GROVHD  FLW  PLW  •   ^=^  •  F| R5T  FUgjfY  Plf  H 

PLANS     BEFORE     AND     AFTER     ALTERATION- 

THE     DIAL     HOUSE.     SHORTFIELD     COMMON.     FARNHAM 
NIVEN,    WIGGLESWORTH  and  FAWNER,   Architects. 

Another  example  of  excellent  adaptive  work.  The  blacked-in  walls  show  how  little 
structural  partition  work  has  been  necessitated.  Cost,  new,  from  .£850  to  £1,500. 
See  p.  81. 


91 


FRONT     VIEW. 


ft.  I 


THE     LONG     ROOM. 

THE     DIAL     HOUSE,     SHORTFIELD     COMMON,     FARNHAM.     See  previous  page. 


92 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

the  old  barn,  and  in  the  two  bedrooms  above  the  old  timber  trusses 
of  the  roof  filled  in  to  form  partitions  give  the  rooms  a  very  cottage- 
like and  ancient  appearance.  The  accommodation  on  the  ground 
floor  comprises  a  dining-room,  large  drawing-room,  store,  garden- 
room,  cloak-room,  kitchen,  and  offices.  The  plan  shows  with  how 
little  alteration  this  excellent  home  has  been  completed.  It  is 
inhabited  by  one  of  the  partners  in  the  above  firm  of  architects. 
Cost  on  application  to  the  architects. 

Cottage  with  Pergola  at  Farnham.     Niven,   Wigglesworth,  &  Falkner, 
Architects.     {See  pp.  114,  1 15.) 

This  is  a  very  charming  cottage  at  Farnham,  and  very  char- 
acteristic of  the  country  cottages  now  being  built.  As  regards  the 
plan  the  main  idea  was  to  get  as  much- accommodation  as  possible 
under  one  plain  roof.  This  desire  to  economise  in  the  matter  of  roofs 
is  an  eminently  desirable  one,  and  probably  not  sufficiently  considered 
nowadays.  Country  cottages  are  not  improved  by  complicated  and 
elaborate  roofs,  and  many  gables,  hips,  and  valleys  frequently  make 
the  cost  of  a  roof  out  of  all  proportion  to  the  house  it  covers.  As 
regards  the  plan  of  this  house,  Mr.  Falkner,  the  local  partner  in  the 
above  firm,  acknowledges  his  indebtedness  for  the  main  ideas  to  his 
friend,  Mr.  C.  H.  B.  Quennell,  several  of  whose  cottages  are  illus- 
trated in  this  book.  The  house  has  a  courtyard  to  the  offices  where 
the  unsightly  parts  of  the  household  duties  may  be  performed  in 
private.  The  interior  fittings  are  more  elaborate  than  usual.  The 
dining-room  is  panelled  throughout  in  Jacobean  oak,  and  has  exposed 
beams  of  oak  over.  The  frieze  in  the  drawing-room  was  modelled  in 
plaster  by  artists  of  the  Bromsgrove  Guild  of  Craftsmen.  The  tiles 
in  some  of  the  fireplaces  are  from  a  local  pottery  which  produces  a 
very  decent  glaze.  The  accommodation  is  dining-room,  drawing- 
room,  morning  room,  small  octagonal  hall,  kitchen,  scullery,  offices, 
and  enclosed  yard,  and,  on  the  first  floor,  five  bedrooms  and  bathroom. 
The  cost  is  not  stated  exactly ;  but  a  similar  cottage  might  be  built 
for  from  ^900  to  ^1,500,  depending  on  the  district,  and  other  factors 
mentioned  in  the  chapter  on  cost. 

Two   Holiday   Home  Cottages  in   Charnwood   Forest,    Leicestershire. 
Ernest    Qimson,    Architect.      {Sec pp.  no,  117.) 

These    two    cottages  are  a  striking  illustration  of  an   artificial 

creation  like  a  house  being  so  cleverly  fashioned  that  it  is  not  merely 

inoffensive    but    actually    takes    a   place    in    the    landscape    as    if  it 

were  part  and  parcel  of  Nature  itself.     Not  many  men  have   this 

gift  of  designing.     There    is    another   virtue  in  these  cottages   not, 

perhaps,    apparent   without    explanation  —  they   are    both    built    of 

local    stone.     The    Charnwood   district    of   Leicestershire   is  one  of 

great  geological  interest.     Here  volcanic  action   has  thrust  through 

the  overlaying  strata  big  bosses  of  igneous  rock  which  makes  the 

district  rich  in   hard  stone   much   used  for  road  metal.     Lumps   of 

this  stone  picked  up  from  the  surrounding  lands  have  been  pressed 

into  service  for  walling,  and  the  walls  of  the  cottages  have,  therefore, 

1* 

J  93 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

the  tint  of  the  surrounding  rocks,  one  of  the  first  steps  in  Nature 
harmony.  The  cottages  are  summer  homes  and  they  are  somewhat 
older  than  the  majority  of  week-end  cottages,  and  in  fact  were  built 
before  the  term,  "week-ender,"  became  at  all  current.  But  the 
essential  lines  are  similar  to  those  of  the  more  modern  cottage 
dwelling— they  have  the  sitting  hall,  dining-room,  kitchen,  etc.,  and 
four  or  five  bedrooms,  a  considerable  picturesqueness  being  attained 
by  the  steps  up  and  down  to  the  different  levels  of  the  rooms.  The 
cost  of  these  cottages  cannot  be  exactly  stated ;  the  utilisation  of 
the  local  stone  and  other  circumstances  varying  from  the  ordinary 
building  contract  procedure  make  the  exact  amount  uncertain. 
Mr.  Gimson  being  himself  a  craftsman  is  accustomed  to  doing  actual 
work  on  his  buildings  ;  for  one  thing  he  is  an  artist  in  plastenvork, 
and  has  enriched  many  houses  by  delicately-modelled  ceilings  and 
friezes.  He  has  also  designed  a  great  quantity  of  furniture  and 
carried  out  some  of  the  designs  himself.  With  the  other  members  of 
the  Guild  of  Handicraft  who  have  made  Gloucestershire  their  home 
he  is  endeavouring  to  bring  a  new  order  into  English  homes,  more 
particularly  in  avoiding  the  besetting  sins  of  over  elaboration  and 
display.  The  creation  of  things  beautiful  as  well  as  useful,  and 
useful  as  well  as  beautiful,  might  be  stated  as  the  aim  and  object 
of  the  Guild.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architect. 


94 


CHAPTER   V. 

DESCRIPTIONS    OF    COTTAGES    COSTING    FROM    £l,000    TO    £2,000. 

Probably  the  majority  of  country  cottages  of  the  small  superior  class 
will  come  into  this  division,  and  the  greater  proportion  will  range  in 
cost  from  about  £1,000  to  £1,300.  At  this  figure  some  amount  of 
decoration  and  finish  can  be  afforded  where  the  accommodation 
comprises  five  bedrooms  or  less.  Under  £1,000  the  architect  cannot 
"  let  himself  go,"  but  has  to  exercise  a  close  restraint  on  any  exuber- 
ance of  fancy.  The  number  of  examples  here  given  is,  however, 
slightly  less  than  in  the  case  of  cottages  under  £1,000,  as  it  was 
felt  desirable  to  give  as  many  illustrations  of  cottages  in  that  division 
as  possible. 

Cottage  at  Upper  Warlingham,   Surrey.     P.  Morley  Horder,  Architect. 

(Seep.  118.) 

This  is  constructed  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  red  brick 
chimney-stacks,  and  red  tiles  on  the  roof.  The  accommodation 
on  the  ground  floor  comprises  a  drawing-  and  dining-room,  both 
being  large  rooms,  and  the  former  opens  out  of  a  small  sitting-hall 
by  means  of  folding-doors.  There  are  also  kitchen,  scullery,  and 
usual  offices.  On  the  upper  floor  are  five  bedrooms  and  bathroom. 
The  cost  was  £1,100. 

"  Rosebriers,''  Llanfairfechan,  N.  Wales.     Herbert  L.  North,    Architect. 

(See  pp.  119,  120.) 

Welsh  architecture  in  the  main  is  exceedingly  poor,  though 
Mr.  North  and  one  or  two  other  men  like  him  are  making  a  brave 
attempt  to  infuse  a  little  art  and  progress  into  the  general  ruck  of 
mean  and  paltry  building.  It  is  astonishing,  in  a  country  so  rich  in 
natural  building  materials,  that  brick  boxes  with  slate  roofs  should 
form  almost  a  typical  feature  in  a  Welsh  landscape. 

"  Rosebriers  "  is  built  of  the  local  granite,  rough-casted,  and  the 
chimneys  and  ridges  are  of  brindled  Buckley  brick.  The  roofs  are 
covered  with  third  quality  thick  slates.  The  terrace  walls  are  laid 
"  dry,"  i.e.  without  mortar,  and  are  of  granite  with  uncut  faces.  The 
house  is  arranged  to  get  as  much  sun  during  the  day  as  possible.  In 
the  morning  the  dining-room  receives  the  most  benefit,  and  the 
sunshine  works  round  to  the  drawing-room  by  the  afternoon.  The 
house  is  built  in  a  form  to  resist  the  heavy  gales  from  the  west, 
while  the  long  roofs  to  the  north  and  east  completely  protect  those 
quarters. 

Of  the  interior  views,  one  shows  the  drawing-room  looking 
through  to  the  ante-room,  which  is  separated  from  both  dining-room 
and  drawing-room   by  glass  doors,  so  that  all   three  rooms  can  be 

95 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

thrown  into  one  if  desired.  From  the  ante-room  a  door  opens  on  to 
the  terrace.  The  chimney-piece  in  the  dining-room  has  panels  of 
glass  tiles,  blue  and  violet,  with  rose-grey  lines  and  mother-of-pearl 
and  silver  mosaic  dots.  The  beams  are  of  pitch  pine.  The  view  of 
the  dining-room  shows  the  serving  hatch  from  the  kitchen.  The 
floor  here  is  of  unpolished  oak.  Both  the  table  and  the  cupboard 
are  from  the  architect's  designs,  and  the  latter,  which  is  of  oak  with 
ash  doors,  was  partly  made  by  him.  The  table  frame  and  legs  are 
of  oak  with  elm  top.  The  cost  of  the  house  was  £1,000.  The  plan 
of  the  garden  is  exceedingly  interesting. 

House  at  Letchworth,  Herts.     Halsey  Ricardo,   Architect.     (See pp.  121,  122.) 

This  is  another  of  the  modern  residences  at  the  Garden  City 
The  walls,  which  are  built  with  a  hollow  space,  are  of  local  white 
stock  bricks.  Elm  weather-boarding  has  been  used  for  the  gables,  and 
old  tiles  for  the  roof.  The  house  is  thoroughly  well  built.  On  the 
ground  floor  there  is  a  dining-room,  drawing-room,  study,  kitchen, 
scullery,  bicycle  room,  and  offices ;  on  the  first  floor  four  bedrooms 
and  bathroom,  and  on  the  second  floor  three  bedrooms,  boxroom,  and 
housemaid's  closet.  The  house  is  rather  new  at  present  and  un- 
occupied, but  will  improve  in  appearance  in  a  year  or  two's  time. 
The  cost  including  gates,  fences,  colouring  of  the  internal  walls,  and  a 
fair  number  of  cupboards,  was  £1,051. 

House  at  Crompton,  near  Quildford,  Surrey.     P.   Morley  Horder,   Architect. 

{Seep.  123.) 

The  plans  of  this  house,  if  compared  with  the  perspective  view, 

do  not  agree  properly  with  it.      In  the  plans  the  long  wing  of  the 

house  appears  on   the  left  hand   and  the   short  wing  on   the   right, 

instead  of  vice  versa.     This  was  due  to  the  tracings  being  made  from 

reversed  sun-prints,  the  only  drawings  available,  and  the  error  was 

only  discovered  when  putting  the  illustrations  together.      If  held   up 

to  a  looking-glass  the  plans  will  appear  as  originally  plotted.     The 

accommodation    is,   however,  correctly  shown.      There    is    an   outer 

vestibule,  from  which  entrance  is  obtained  to  the  sitting-hall,  which 

opens  to  a  verandah,  and    separate    access    to  a  corridor  from   the 

kitchen  so  that  the  servant  does  not  traverse  the  hall  to  open  the 

front  door.     There  are  a  dining-room  and  drawing-room,  the  latter 

forming  the  ground  floor  of  the  short  wing  ;    kitchen,  scullery,  and 

offices.     On  the  upper  floor  are  six  bedrooms,  a  sitting  space  over 

the  porch,   bathroom,  &c.      The   house  is  typical  of   Mr.    Horder's 

charming  work,  and  is  roomy  and  comfortable.     The  materials  are 

brick,  rough-cast,  with  tiled  roof    stone  dressings   to  windows,   cvc, 

and  wrought-iron  casements  with   leaded  lights.      The   cost  of  the 

house  alone  was  £1,250. 

"Tilehurst,"  Bushey,  Herts.     C.  F.  A.  Voysey,  Architect. 

(See  pp.  124 — 126.) 

This  is  another  interesting  example  of  Mr.  Voysey's  work,  and 
should  be  specially  noted  for  the  square  treatment  of  the  plan,  and 

96 


ENTRANCE  FRONT. 


GARDEN  FRONT. 


HLC'  jRrp^T 


GROUND     FLOOR. 


COTTAGE     AT     LETCHWORTH. 
H.   M.   FLETCHER,  Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  red  tiled  roof.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect.     See  p.  82. 


97 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 
COTTAGE     AT     SUTTON     VENY,     WILTS. 
C.    H.    B.   QUEtiNEU,    Architect. 

Walls   built    hollow    (to  resist  the  strong  winds  that  blow  from   the    Downs),  and  of    red  brick   with    red    tiled 
roof.     Wood  casement  windows.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect.     See  p.  82. 


QS 


COTTAGE     AT     SUTTON     VENY      WILTS:     ENTRANCE     FRONT.     (See  previous  page, ) 


COTTAGE     AT     FARNBOROUGH,     HANTS:     GARDEN     FRONT.    (See  next  page.) 


99 


ENTRANCE     FRONT 


OjPOL///£)/200P  Ptftf 


Beopoa.i 


^^J^°=J 


f/j?ST  /7oo&  PyiH 


COTTAGE     AT     FARNBOROUGH,      HANTS. 
C.    H.    B.   QUEHHEll,   Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough -casted,  with  red  tile  roof.     Wood  casement  windows.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect. 
See  p.  82. 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

the  economy  of  the  single  chimney  stack  into  which  all  the  flues  are 
gathered.  It  is  built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  stone  dressings 
to  the  windows.  The  latter  have  wrought-iron  casements  with 
leaded  lights.  The  roof  is  covered  with  red  tiles.  The  accommoda- 
tion on  the  ground  floor  is  a  large  sitting-hall,  a  parlour,  kitchen,  and 
offices,  and  on  the  first  floor  there  are  three  bedrooms,  bathroom, 
boxroom,  and  photographic  room.     The  cost  was  about  £1,000. 

Cottage    at    Hook    Heath,  Woking,    Surrey.     Godfrey  Pinkerton,  Architect. 

{See  pp.  126,  127.) 

In  this  cottage  the  object  has  been  to  bring  all  the  principal 
rooms  on  to  the  sunny  and  garden  frontage.  The  materials  em- 
ployed are  brick,  rough-casted,  with  red  tiles  for  the  roof,  and 
casement  windows  with  leaded  lights.  On  the  ground  floor  there  is 
small  entrance  hall,  library,  drawing-room,  dining-room,  kitchen, 
scullery,  and  offices,  with  outbuildings  for  coal  and  bicycles.  On 
the  first  floor  there  are  day  and  night  nurseries,  two  bedrooms, 
dressing-room  with  bath,  bathroom,  linen  cupboard  and  store  ;  and 
on  the  upper  floor  two  more  bedrooms,  boxroom,  and  tankroom. 
Cost  on  application  to  the  architect. 

House  at  Lynden  End,   near  Birmingham.      Herbert  T.   Buckland  & 
E.   Haywood -Farmer,  Architects.     (Seep.  128.) 

This  house  is  built  of  brick,  faced  externally  with  rough-cast, 
and  the  chimneys  are  of  brindled  Black  Country  bricks,  while  the 
roofs  are  covered  with  Hartshill  tiles.  Internally  the  treatment  is 
very  simple,  all  the  woodwork  being  of  deal,  painted.  This  type 
of  dwelling  is  suitable  for  either  week-end  cottage  or  a  small  suburban 
country  home  for  a  man  of  modest  income  and  some  taste.  The 
accommodation  on  the  ground  floor  is  as  follows : — Dining-room, 
drawing-room,  study,  kitchen,  scullery,  and  offices,  including  larder 
and  dairy,  and  in  the  outbuildings  are  a  wash-house  and  fuel-house. 
The  outbuildings  are  connected  with  the  scullery  by  a  covered  way, 
and  they  give  on  to  an  enclosed  yard,  walled  off  from  the  garden. 
On  the  first  floor  there  are  five  bedrooms,  bathroom,  and  a  large 
linen  cupboard,  and  in  the  attic  there  are  two  other  rooms.  All  the 
bedrooms  have  fire-places.     The  cost  of  the  house  was  £1,150. 

"The  Bungalow,"  Seacroft,  Lincolnshire.      A.  W.  Brewill  &  Basil  E.  Baily, 

Architects.     (See  p.  133.) 

This  cottage  contains  small  entrance  hall,  living-room,  dining- 
room,  two  bedrooms,  bathroom,  kitchen,  scullery,  wash-house,  and 
offices  on  the  ground  floor.  The  two  bedrooms  could  be  used  as 
additional  sitting-rooms  if  desired.  There  is  also  a  spacious 
verandah.  On  the  upper  floor  there  are  five  bedrooms,  linen  cup- 
board, etc.  The  house  is  built  of  red  brick,  rough-casted  above  the 
plinth,  the  roof  being  covered  with  red  tiles,  and  the  casement 
windows  being  fitted  with  leaded  lights.  The  exterior  woodwork  is 
painted  white.     Cost  £1,200. 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

House  at  Bridlington.      Herbert  T.   Buckland  and  E.   Haywood -Farmer, 
Architects.     (Sec  pp   154—136.) 

This  house  is  practically  based,  by  desire  of  the  client,  on 
another  house  by  the  same  architects  erected  near  Birmingham ;  but 
the  site  and  aspect  not  presenting  the  same  characteristics,  the  plan 
had,  practically,  to  be  turned  round.  Externally  the  house  is  rough- 
cast on  brick,  and  is  roofed  with  Hartshill  tiles ;  the  caps  of  the 
chimneys  and  the  dressings  to  the  front  door  are  of  Staffordshire 
bricks,  rather  blue  in  colour,  forming  a  contrast  with  the  rough-cast. 
Internally  the  woodwork  is  of  deal,  painted,  except  in  the  dining- 
room,  which  is  fitted  with  English  oak.  All  the  walls  are  distempered, 
the  plaster  being  finished  with  a  wood  float,  which  gives  an  excellent 
texture  to  the  surface  to  receive  distemper.  The  entrance  floor  looks 
away  to  the  open  country,  and  the  other  side  looks  on  to  the  sea. 
There  is  a  small  enriched  plaster  cornice  in  all  the  living  rooms. 
The  accommodation  on  the  ground  floor  comprises  dining-room, 
drawing-room,  playroom,  small  hall,  kitchen,  and  offices,  and  there  is 
an  enclosed  yard  to  the  offices.  The  first  floor  plan  shows  four 
bedrooms  and  bathroom,  etc.,  and  in  the  attics  there  are  three  more 
rooms.  The  cost  was  ^1,112.  Incidentally  it  may  be  remarked  that 
the  ordinary  run  of  seaside  cottages  and  houses  is  exceedingly  bad 
in  design,  and  this  is  not,  perhaps,  to  be  wondered  at  when  it  is 
remembered  that  they  are  mostly  of  the  speculative  variety,  and  that 
the  speculative  builder  is  usually  a  town  bird  who  takes  with  him  the 
plans  of  his  architectural  triumphs  in  the  suburbs.  One  could  wish 
that  the  big  land  speculators  and  the  ground  landlords,  to  whose 
efforts  so  many  of  our  modern  watering  places  owe  their  origin,  would 
ally  themselves  at  the  outset  of  their  enterprise  with  a  decent 
architect,  and  not  leave  to  the  private  owner  only  the  inception  of  a 
piece  of  architectural  design  among  the  general  chaos  of  building 
rubbish. 

Cottage  at  Camberley,  Surrey.     C.  H.   B.  Quennell,    Architect. 

(See  pp.  136—138.) 

This  picturesque  house  is  built  amidst  a  pine  wood,  the  walls  on 
the  ground  floor  and  entrance  bay  and  the  chimneys  being  of  red 
brick.  Above  the  ground  floor  the  walls  are  rough-casted,  and  the 
roof  is  covered  with  red  tiles.  The  windows  are  wood  casements 
with  leaded  lights.  The  accommodation  comprises  living-room  with 
big  bay,  dining-room,  verandah,  study,  kitchen,  cycle-room,  store, 
and  offices.  On  the  first  floor  are  five  bedrooms,  dressing-room,  and 
bathroom,  and  two  other  rooms  on  the  attic  floor.  Cost  on 
application  to  the  architect. 

Cottage  at  Heyshott,  Midhurst,  Sussex.     Horace  Field,   Architect. 

(Sec  pp.  138,  139.) 

This  house  is  picturesquely  situated,  with  the  garden  facing 
south,  and  is  sheltered  by  a  pinewood  at  the  back.  It  is  built  of 
brick,  rough-casted,  has  wood  casement  windows  and  a  red  tile  roof. 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

The  accommodation  on  the  ground  floor  comprises  a  sitting-hall, 
a  large  living-room,  work-room,  verandah,  kitchen,  and  offices.  On 
the  upper  floor  there  are  four  bedrooms,  a  dressing-room,  and  bath- 
room.    The  cost  will  be  given  by  the  architect  on  application. 

"  Woodcote,"   Camberley,   Surrey.     H.  R.  &  B.  A.  Poulter,   Architects. 

{Seep.  140.) 

This  cottage  is  situated  on  a  gravel  hill.  The  walls  have  a  brick 
plinth,  above  which  is  oak  timber  framing  left  rough  and  filled  with 
Taylor's  bricks,  covered  with  cement  rough-cast  and  whitewashed. 
The  roof  is  covered  with  old  tiles  from  barns  at  Frimley.  Internally 
the  walls  are  finished  with  white  plaster.  Oak  joinery  is  used  through- 
out and  heavy  oak  ceilings.  Wrought-iron  casement  windows  with 
three-quarter  inch  leads,  decorative  portions  being  sparingly  intro- 
duced. The  accommodation  on  the  ground  floor  comprises  drawing- 
room,  sitting-hall,  dining-room,  kitchen,  servants'  hall,  and  offices. 
On  the  first  floor  there  are  night  and  day  nurseries,  three  bedrooms 
and  dressing-room,  bathroom,  linen  cupboard,  &c.  On  the  attic  floor 
there  are  two  more  bedrooms  and  box-room,  and  in  the  basement 
there  is  a  cellar.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architects. 

"The    White   Cottages,"   Hunstanton,   Norfolk,     li.  Q.   Ibberson,  Architect. 

{Seep.  145.) 

"  The  White  Cottages  "  are  a  pair  of  semi-detached  dwellings 
at  the  above  seaside  resort,  and  take  their  name,  as  may  be  imagined, 
from  the  colour  of  the  walls.  The  main  idea  of  the  plan  was  to  get 
the  principal  room  at  the  back  unspoiled  by  any  kitchen  projection 
into  the  garden.  The  walls  are  of  brick,  white  rough-casted,  and 
brown  stone  dressings,  and  the  roof  is  covered  with  grey-green  slates. 
The  windows  have  iron  casements,  and  leaded  lights  throughout. 
The  accommodation  in  each  cottage  comprises  drawing-room,  dining- 
room,  kitchen,  scullery,  and  offices,  and  a  large  stoep  or  loggia  at  the 
back.  On  the  upper  floor  are  four  bedrooms,  bathroom,  and  linen 
cupboard.     The  cost  of  the  two  was  approximately  £1,192. 

"Fridhem,"   Hunstanton,    Norfolk.     H.  G.   Ibberson,  Architect. 

{See  pp.  145,  146.) 

This  is  a  small  house,  but  with  fairly  large  rooms.  The 
materials  are  brown  local  stone,  and  Ham  Hill  stone  and  flint  are 
also  introduced.  The  lead  enrichments  were  designed  and  beaten 
by  the  architect.  The  internal  woodwork  is  Bass,  stained,  oiled, 
and  rubbed,  and  enriched  with  copper,  while  the  walls  with  plaster 
ornament  worked  by  the  architect  are  white-washed  down  to  the 
dado  rail.  The  accommodation  comprises  on  the  ground  floor, 
dining-room,  drawing-room,  kitchen,  scullery,  and  offices ;  and  on  the 
upper  floor,  four  bedrooms,  bathroom,  and  two  cupboards.  Cost  on 
application  to  the  architect. 

Cottages,  Boston  Square,  Hunstanton,   Norfolk.     H.  Q.   Ibberson,  Architect. 

{Seep.  147.) 

The  architect  describes  this  pair  as  an  attempt  to  unite  the 
picturesque  and  plate  glass.     The  materials   are  brown   stone  with 

103 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

yellow  rough-cast  and  red  tiles.  The  accommodation  on  the  ground 
floor  of  each  comprises  dining-room,  drawing-room,  small  hall, 
kitchen,  scullery,  and  offices.  On  the  first  floor  there  are  three 
bedrooms  and  bathroom,  and  on  the  attic  floor  two  bedrooms,  two 
linen  cupboards  and  boxroom.     The  cost  of  the  pair  was  ^1,120. 

Cottage,    Lincoln  Square,   Hunstanton,  Norfolk.     H.  G.  Ibberson,   Architect. 

(Seep.  148.) 

The  materials  of  this  house  are  the  local  carstone  with  red 
tiled  roof.  The  windows  are  sash  windows  and  the  woodwork  is 
painted  white.  The  accommodation  on  the  ground  floor  comprises 
drawing-room  and  study  with  folding-doors  between,  dining-room, 
pantry  arranged  as  servery,  kitchen,  scullery,  and  offices.  On  the 
upper  floor  are  four  bedrooms,  a  dressing-room,  and  bathroom.  Cost 
on  application  to  the  architect. 

"Ingledell,"  Camberley,  Surrey.     H.   R.  &  B.  A.  Poulter,  Architects. 

(See  pp.  149,  150.) 

This  cottage  is  built  on  a  sandy  site,  sloping  rapidly  to  the  south. 
The  walls  are  built  of  local  bricks,  lime  rough-casted,  and  the  exterior 
woodwork  is  painted  brown.  The  roofs  are  covered  with  red  hand- 
made tiles.  Internally  the  walls  are  plastered,  the  ceilings  and  friezes 
being  in  white  plaster.  The  joinery  is  painted  brown.  The  glazing, 
by  the  client's  desire,  is  done  in  heavy  plate  glass.  The  ground  floor 
comprises  drawing-room  with  small  verandah,  dining-room,  study, 
kitchen,  servants'  hall,  offices,  and  enclosed  yard.  In  the  basement 
there  is  a  heating  chamber.  On  the  first  floor  there  are  five  bed- 
rooms, bathroom,  linen  cupboard,  &c,  on  the  attic  floor  three 
servants'  bedrooms  and  boxroom.  Cost  on  application  to  the 
architects. 

Cottage  at  Letchworth,   Herts.     M.   H.    Baillie- Scott,   Architect. 

(Sec  pp.  151,  152.) 

Mr.  Baillie-Scott's  houses  are  always  interesting,  and  this  house, 
built  for  an  artist  at  the  Garden  City,  is  no  exception  to  the  rule. 
As  might  be  expected  the  cottage  has  been  specially  designed  with 
the  convenience  of  the  owner  in  view.  There  is  a  large  studio  the  full 
height  of  the  building,  with  a  large  north  light,  and  a  corridor  on  the 
first  floor  forming  a  gallery  at  one  end.  There  is  a  large  garden 
porch  which  serves  both  for  the  studio  and  the  large  living  room  which 
has  a  dining  recess  off  it.  A  children's  room  with  small  verandah 
is  also  a  feature  of  the  ground  plan.  On  the  upper  floor  there  are 
five  bedrooms,  bathroom,  etc.  The  casement  windows  have  leaded 
lights.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architect. 

Cottage  at  Harmer  Green.     Eden  &  Freeman,  Architects.     (Sec pp.  152,  153.) 

This  cottage  presents  an  unusual  and  interesting  treatment, 
showing  a  long  low  elevation,  with  the  bedrooms  in  the  roof  and 
the  chimney  stacks  kept  low.  The  main  entrance  is  on  the  right- 
hand  side  of  the  small  bay,  which  also    forms    the   staircase   under 

104 


RtadtNcE . 

K  &do»  Lsn*,  DEE3TON  "NOTTO 


GENERAL     VIEW. 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 
COTTAGE     AT     BEESTON,     NOTTS. 

A      W.    BREWILL  and  BASIL   £".    BAILY,   Architects. 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


Built  of  red  sand  bricks,  with  upper  part  rough-casted,  and  roofed  with  green  slates.     Woodwork  painted  white,' 
and  casement  windows  with  leaded  lights.     Cost,  /850.     See  p.  82. 


105 


COTTAGE     IN     THE     GLOUCESTERSHIRE     COTSWOLD     DISTRICT. 
£HNSST  GIMSON,    Anhil.-.  I 

Built  "I  rubble  stone,  quarried  on  site  ;  walls  2  feet  thick,  and  rough-casted.      Roof  of  straw  thatch, 
14  inches  thick.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect.     See  p.  S7. 


106 


PAIR     OF     COTTAGES     AT     LLANFAIRFECHAN.     N.     WALES. 
H.    L.   NORTH,   Architect. 


Built  of  brick,  rough-cast,  with  thick  small  slates  on  roof  having  a  pattern  formed  with  green  ones.  The  long 
roofs  protect  from  the  prevailing  south-west  and  north-east  gales.  Native  oak  posts  to  verandah.  Front 
doors  of  elm.     Casement  windows  with  leaded  lights.     Cost  of  pair,  £910.     Seep   87 


107 


UlPcIj-oofaJlenlcvoT,  Than  V3: 


/ 


!-hlu«— .r_w_ 


KjTCHEn 


lmtkaj-ici 


Ground  Plan- 


First  F/oor- 


"  REDROOFS,"     HENLEY-ON-THAMES.     OXON. 
JOHN   W.    FAIR  and   VAL  MYER,   Architects. 

Built  of  local  red  brick,  with  deep  channelled  joints,  and  whitewashed.     Roof  covered  with  local  red,  sand-faced 
tiles,  and  exterior  woodwork  painted  white.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architects.     See  p.  87. 


10S 


ENTRANCE      FRONT. 


HALL     DRAWING 
l    ROOM. 
y  |poRoi[  b 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN.  FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 

COTTAGE     AT     BUCKHURST     HILL.     ESSEX. 
A.    N££DHAM   WILSON.   Architect. 

Built  of  stock  brick,  rough-cast;  roof  covered  with  Broseley  tiles.     All  internal  walls  distempered.      Total  cost, 
including  fencing,  electric  bells,  gas  and  decoration,  /770.     See  p    87. 


109 


GROUND    PLAM. 
"KNIGHTON,"     EOSTON     SQUARE,     HUNSTANTON. 

H-   C.   IBBERSOH    Architect. 


f"IR5r     TLOOR  PLAN 


Built  of  local  carstone,  with  rough  cast  bay,  gables  and  chimney  stacks.     Leaded  lights.     Cost,  £756.     See  p. 


83. 


B  A  C  r\       ft  o  A  O 


1 


BLOCK     PLAN     OF     HOUSES     AT     HUNSTANTON,     "NORTHERNHAY        AND         KNIGHTON,"     SHOWING     REASON 
OF      PLANNING      TO      OVERLOOK      GARDEN      IN      SAME      OWNERSHIP. 


CROUrtD 

FLfln 


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h  i 

fr 

BCD 
noon 

m 


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OED    ROOM 


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first  floor 
FLfln 


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m- 


ATTIC 
PLflrt. 


'NORTHERNHAY,"     BOSTON     SQUARE,     HUNSTANTON.     (See  p.   88  and  ntxt  page.) 
H.   0.  IBBCRSON,   Architect. 


I     . 
<    ^ 


< 
i- 
(- 
o 
o 


liliniill!:iillli/il;i!.rli:'riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii;ii.  Tifflffllf 


COTTAGE     IN     THE     BOURNE.     FARNHAM     (AS     ALTERED). 
N1VCN,    WIGGLESWORTH  and  FtLKtiCR.    Aroh 


Represents   a   small  farmhouse  adapted  as  a   cottage  residence.     Built  of   brick,   part   of   weather  boarding,    with 
old  tile  roof.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architects.     See  p.  88. 


M 


Hi 


5 

x  i 

Z  i 

a.  -= 

<  s 


114 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


.OAL 


COTTAGE,     WITH     PERGOLA.     FARNHAM,     SURREY. 
NIVEN.    WIBGLCSWORTH  and   FALKNER,    Anhileils. 


Built  of   brick,  rough-casted,  with  wood  casement  windows  and  red  tiled  roof.     Cost,  about  .£950. 
See  p.  93. 


"5 


r     ' 


LEA      COTTAGE. 
Photograph  by   H.    truing. 


GROUND     PLAN.     STONEYWELL     COTTAGE. 


GROUND     PLAN,     LEA     COTTAGE. 

TWO     HOLIDAY     HOME     COTTAGES     IN     CHARNWOOD     FOREST,     LEICESTERSHIRE. 
ERNEST  GIIUSOH,   Architect. 

Built   of   local    stone,    and    thatched.      Cost   cannot  be  exactly  stated  ;     but  particulars   on   application  to  the 
Architects.     See  p.  93. 


116 


LEA    COTTAGE. 
Photograph  by   H,   truing 


STONEYWELL     COTTAGE. 
Photograph    by    H.    Irving. 

TWO     COTTAGES     IN     CHARNWOOD     FOREST,     LEICESTERSHIRE.     (See  opposite  wge.) 
ERH£ST  GlMSON.  Architect 


117 


GENERAL     VIEW     FROM     GARDEN. 


T'vt  Bedr£>oms  Ovt." 


COTTAGE     AT     UPPER     WARLINGHAM,     SURREY. 
P.    MORLEY  HORO£B,    Architect. 


Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  red  brick  chimney  stacks,  and  red  tiles  on  the  roof.       Cost, 
/i.ioo.      See  p.  95. 


11S 


~%vm 


LOOKING     TOWARDS     THE     DRAWING-ROOM     WINDOWS. 


V-  '.    -r-       V.        *S 

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i _J    .__■  .    _  ...  y^   ill  l 

'"  ROSEBRIERS,"     LLANFAIRFECHAN.      N.     WALES. 
H-    L.    NORTH.    Architect. 

Built  of  local  granite  throughout,  with  chimneys  and  ridges  of  brindled  Buckley  bri<  k,  Terrace  walls  are  granite  laid 
without  mortar,  and  the  stones  have  uncut  faces.  Roof  covered  with  third  quality  thick  slates.  Cost,  £1,000. 
See  p.  95. 

119 


THE     DINING-ROCM. 


THE     DRAWING-ROOM     AND     ANTE-ROOM. 

"  ROSEBRIERS,"     LLANFAIRFECHAN,     N.     WALES.       (Sse  previous  poSe.) 


ENTRANCE     FRONT. 
Photograph   by    W.    H.    Watts. 


|6.G 

r 

Coals 

1- 

P\ao  oC  ?oe  <2roond   hocC 


HOUSE     AT     LETCHWORTH.     HERTS. 
HALSEY  RICARDO,   Architect. 

Built  of  local  white  stock  brick,  with  elm  weather  boarding  to  gables,  and  old  tiles  on  roof.  Cost,  £1,051.   See  p.  96. 


N 


VIEW     FROM     THE     GARDEN. 
Photograph  by    W.  H.    Watts. 


HOUSE     AT     LETCHWORTH.     HERTS.     (See  previous  page.) 


122 


I   1 

KIICHlM  \S* 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN 


HOUSE     AT     CROMPTON,     NEAR     GUILDFORD.     SURREY, 
P-    MORLEY    HOROCR,    Architect. 


Built  of   brick,   rough-cast,   with   red   tiled   roof,   and   stone   dressings  to  windows,  etc.     Casement  windows  with 
leaded  lights.     Cost  of  house,  only  /1,25c     See  p.  96. 

NOTE.— A  comparison  of  plan  with  the  view  shows  that  the  position  of  the  long  and  short  wings  of  the  house  are  not  in  agreement.     This 
is  due  to  an  error  in  tracing  from  a  reversed  "  Sim  Print."     Holding  the  plan  up  to  a  looking-glass  would  correct  the  error. 


i-i 


ENTRANCE     FRONT. 


/ 


"^ 


"  TILEHURST,"     BUSHEY,      HERTS. 
C.   F.   A.    VOYSEY,    Architect 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  stone  dressings  to  windows       Wrought  iron  casement  windows  with 
Red  tile  roof.     Cost,  £1,000.     See  p.  96 


leaded  lights. 


124 


m 


$'*ik 


O     I 


E    1 
5    3 


125 


TILEHURST,"     BUSHEY,     HERTS:     THE     SITTING     HALL     (See  previous  page. ) 


COTTAGE     AT     HOOK     HEATH,      FROM     THE     LAWN.     (See  opposite  page.) 
GODFREY  PINKERJON,   Architect. 
Photograph   by  the  City   Art  Photo.   Co. 


I  26 


VIEW     FROM     THE     LAWN 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 
COTTAGE     AT     HOOK     HEATH.     WOKING.     SURREY. 
GODFREY  PINKERTON.    Architect. 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


ATTIC     PLAN. 


Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  red  tiled  roof  and  casement  windows.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect. 
See  p.  ioi. 


127 


-i-rl- 


[      3£J       ZOO* 


HOUSE     AT     LYNDEN      END,     NEAR     BIRMINGHAM. 
HERBERT  T.   BUCKLAND  and  E.   HAYWOOD-EARMER,   Architects 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  chimney  stacks  of  Black  Country  brindled  bricks.     Koof  covered  with  Hartsbill 
tiles.     Cost  ^1,150.     Seep.  101. 


128 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

which  is  a  room  for  photographic  purposes.  It  will  be  noted  that  the 
tiled  hall  is  a  long  corridor,  and  that  the  entrance  and  staircase  as 
well  as  the  nursery  and  kitchen  departments  are  shut  off  from  it,  thus 
forming  a  sitting-room  with  fireplace.  The  day  and  night  nurseries 
are  both  situated  on  the  ground  floor,  the  former  having  a  big  bay 
window,  with  window  seats.  The  kitchen  department  is  self- 
contained,  and  the  latter  has  a  big  bay  with  seats  balancing  the 
day  nursery  window.  At  the  other  end  of  the  building  on  the  upper 
floor  are  six  bedrooms,  with  bathroom,  &c.  The  walls  are  built  of 
brick,  rough-casted,  and  are  built  of  some  thickness,  and  hollow  in 
some  places  to  give  greater  protection  against  extremes  of  heat  and 
cold.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architects. 

Cottage  at  Roehampton,  Surrey.      No.    i.      A.  Jessop  Hard  wick,  Architect. 

{Seep.  154.) 

This  is  an  extremely  picturesque  cottage,  and  forms  a  very 
suitable  model  for  a  country  home.  The  exterior  walls  are  of  brick, 
with  white  rough-cast  over,  and  the  woodwork  is  of  Oregon  pine 
stained  to  a  very  dark  brown  colour,  almost  black.  The  shutters  are 
painted  green.  The  small  dome  is  covered  with  copper,  and  the 
roofs  are  covered  with  red  tiles.  The  accommodation  on  the  ground 
floor  comprises  a  sitting-hall,  dining-room,  drawing-room,  cloak-room, 
kitchen,  offices,  and  bicycle-room.  Back  stairs  are  provided  so  that 
servants  need  not  enter  the  sitting-hall  to  go  upstairs.  On  the  first 
floor  are  two  bedrooms,  day  and  night  nurseries,  and  bathroom,  and 
on  the  attic  floor  are  two  more  bedrooms  and  a  dark-room.  The 
sitting-hall  is  panelled  in  oak,  and  the  drawing-room  contains  a 
special  piece  of  decoration  by  a  lady  artist.  This  takes  the  form  of 
a  frieze,  with  low  relief  Grecian  figures,  having  a  suggestion  of  flesh- 
tint  colour  on  a  creamy  white  background. 

Cottage  at  Roehampton,   Surrey.      No.  2.      A.    Jessop  Hardwick,   Architect. 

(Seep.  155.) 

This  is  another  of  the  four  cottage  residences  erected  close 
together  from  Mr.  Hardwick's  designs,  so  that  the  spot  is  some- 
times called  Hardwick's  corner.  This  cottage  has  a  very  pleasant 
sitting-hall,  also  a  drawing-room,  dining-room,  kitchen,  cycle-room, 
and  offices  on  the  ground  floor,  and  on  the  first  floor  are  five 
bedrooms  and  bathroom.  The  hall  is  treated  in  dark  stained  deal. 
Cost  on  application  to  the  architect. 

"  Curraghvoe, "  Camberley,  Surrey.       H.   R.  &  B.  A.   Poulter,  Architects. 

(Seep.  156.) 
This  cottage  is  built  on  a  flat,  sandy,  roadside  site.  The  walls 
are  of  Taylor's  bricks,  covered  with  cement  rough-casted  and  white- 
washed. The  wood-work  is  creosoted.  The  roofs  are  covered  with 
old  tiles,  and  the  glazing,  by  the  client's  desire,  is  in  plate  glass. 
Internally  the  walls  are  "finished  in  white  plaster,  as  also  are  ceilings 
and  friezes.  The  joinery  is  painted  brown.  The  ground  floor  accom- 
modation consists  of  drawing-room,  dining-room,  study,   small   hall, 

O  129 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

kitchen,  offices,  and  small  verandah.     On  the  upper  floor  there  are 
five    bedrooms    and    bathroom,   &c.       Cost    on    application    to    the 

Architects. 

Design  for  a  Cottage  Residence.     William  Henry  White,  Architect. 

{Seep.  157.) 
This  cottage  was  designed  for  a  client,  but  not  subsequently- 
carried  out.  The  plan  is  of  the  modern  type,  with  a  large  dining-  or 
living-hall,  with  ingle  fireplace  and  big  bay  window,  also  separate 
entrance  to  the  grounds.  There  are  also  a  small  entrance  hall, 
drawing-room,  study,  kitchen,  scullery,  servant's  bedroom,  and  usual 
offices  on  the  ground  floor.  On  the  upper  floor  are  five  bedrooms, 
bathroom,  &c.  The  cottage  was  to  be  built  of  brick,  rough-casted, 
and  finished  a  cream  colour.  The  roof  to  be  covered  with  red  tiles. 
Estimated  cost,  ^1,300. 

Cottage  at  Qarboldisham,   Norfolk.     P.   Morley  Horder,  Architect. 

{Seep.  158.) 

This  cottage  home  was  built  in  connection  with  an  old  brewing 
house,  the  buildings  of  which  were  converted  into  stabling,  gardener's 
cottage,  &c.  The  residence  proper  is  planned  to  form,  with  the  older 
buildings,  a  carriage  court,  with  covered  way  to  the  stables.  On  the 
ground  floor  there  is  a  drawing-room  with  ingle,  sitting-hall,  dining- 
room,  kitchen,  offices,  and  large  verandah.  On  the  upper  floor,  nine 
bedrooms,  bathroom,  &c.  The  materials  are  brick,  roughcast,  with 
red  tile  roof  and  wrought-iron  casement  windows  with  leaded  lights. 
The  contract  cost  was  .£1,500. 

Cottage  at  Purley,   Surrey.     C.   H.   B.  Quennell,  Architect.     {Seep.  159.) 

This  cottage  is  built  on  the  Downs  and  commands  fine  views. 
The  sunny  side  is  at  the  back,  and  the  dining-  and  drawing-rooms  are 
placed  on  that  front.  There  are  beside  on  the  ground  floor  a  study 
with  folding-doors  opening  into  the  drawing-room,  kitchen,  scullery, 
cycle  house,  and  offices.  On  the  upper  floor  are  five  bedrooms, 
dressing-room,  bathroom,  and  linen  cupboard.  Externally  the  walls, 
built  hollow,  are  of  red  brick,  with  red  tiles  on  the  roof,  and  the 
windows  are  wood  casements.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architect. 

Thornthwaite  Vicarage,   Keswick,  Cumberland.      Barry  Parker  & 
Raymond  Unwin,  Architects.      {Seep.  160.) 

The  work  of  these  architects,  quite  in  a  new  and  modern  vein, 
is  well  known.  Unfortunately  considerations  of  time  and  space  pre- 
vent the  inclusion  of  more  than  a  couple  of  examples  of  their 
interesting  and  delightful  houses.  Thornthwaite  Vicarage,  the 
smaller  of  the  two,  is  delightfully  situated  amid  beautiful  Cumber- 
land scenery.  It  is  a  quiet  house  with  rough-cast  over  local  stone 
walls  and  green  Westmoreland  slate  roof.  The  accommodation 
consists  of  living-room,  sitting-hall,  study,  kitchen,  butler's  pantry, 
scullery,  &c,  on  ground  floor,  with  five  bedrooms,  bathroom,  &c,  on 
the  upper  floor.  Below  the  study  is  an  excellent  well-lighted  cellar. 
Cost  on  application  to  the  architects. 

130 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

House  at  Wigginton,  Staffordshire.  Herbert  T.  Buckland  &  E.  Haywood- 
Farmer,  Architects.  (Seepp.  161,  162.) 
This  dwelling  was  built  for  a  solicitor  in  practice  in  the  small 
country  town  of  Tamworth,  from  which  place  it  is  about  a  mile  and 
a  half  away.  It  stands  on  a  gentle  slope,  with  the  garden  front 
looking  over  a  fine  stretch  of  typical  Staffordshire  scenery.  The 
walls  are  built  of  thin  (2-inch)  Black  Country  brindled  bricks,  with 
thick  white  joints,  and  this  brickwork  looks  really  well,  and  possesses 
a  fine  texture.  The  roofs  are  covered  with  Hartshill  tiles.  All  the 
copings  and  gables  are  formed  with  the  same  bricks  as  the  rest  of  the 
house.  Internally,  the  woodwork  is  of  deal,  painted.  To  add 
interest  to  otherwise  plain  rooms,  modelled  enriched  cornices  have 
been  executed  in  place  of  the  more  commonly-used  plaster  moulded 
ones.  The  photographs  do  not,  unfortunately,  show  the  diaper 
patterning  in  the  brickwork  as  clearly  as  could  be  wished ;  but  this 
adds  much  to  the  general  effect.  The  accommodation  on  the  ground- 
floor  is :  —  Dining-room,  drawing-room,  hall,  study,  kitchen,  and 
offices,  with  wash-house  and  enclosed  yard  ;  on  the  first  floor  there 
are  four  bedrooms,  a  dressing-room  and  bathroom,  &c. ;  and  in  the 
attics  four  other  rooms.  The  cost  of  the  house  was  ^1,293,  and  the 
stables  cost  another  ^225. 

"The  White  Cottage"  at  Englefield  Green,    Egham,   Surrey.     Nicholson  & 
Corlette,  Architects.     (Sec pp.  162,  163.) 

This  picturesque  cottage  is  built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with 
red  pantiles  on  the  roof.  The  feature  of  the  ground-floor  plan  is 
the  large  living-room  with  ingle  fireplace,  this  room  having  a 
modelled  plaster  ceiling  by  G.  P.  Bankart.  Opening  out  of  this 
is  a  spacious  verandah.  There  are  also  on  the  ground  floor,  a 
dining-room,  small  hall  with  fireplace,  sitting-room,  garden  entrance 
with  cupboard  for  games  apparatus,  small  servant's  bedroom, 
kitchen,  store,  offices  and  small  laundry.  On  the  upper  floor  are 
seven  bedrooms,  bathroom,  linen  cupboard,  and  another  large 
cupboard.  The  cost,  which  is  extremely  moderate,  may  be 
ascertained   from  the  architects. 

House  at  Swansea,  South  Wales.     P.  Morley  Horder,  Architect.    (Sec p.  164.) 

This  is  a  very  charming  little  house  with  a  fine  water-garden 
scheme.  The  walls  are  built  of  local  stone,  rough-cast.  The  roof  is 
covered  with  Westmoreland  slates.  The  windows  are  wrought-iron 
casements  with  leaded  lights.  On  the  ground  floor  there  is  a 
drawing-room  with  bay,  ingle,  and  verandah,  sitting-hall,  dining- 
room,  study,  entrance  hall,  pantry,  kitchen,  and  offices.  On  the 
upper  floor  there  are  four  bedrooms,  bathroom,  sitting  -  landing, 
linen-room,  and  box-room.       The  cost  was  ^1,600. 

Cottage  at  Northwood,   Middlesex.     C.   H.   B.  Quennell,  Architect. 

{Seep.  165.) 

This  cottage  was  built  round  a  corner  with  the  object  of  saving 
a  fine  old  tree  indicated  in  the  drawing.  The  walls  outside  are  of 
brick,  covered  with  rough-cast,  and  the  windows  are  wood  casements 

131 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

filled  with  leaded  lights.  The  accommodation  on  the  ground  floor  is 
a  small  hall,  dining-  and  drawing-rooms,  both  with  bays,  study,  kitchen, 
scullery,  servery  through  pantry,  and  offices.  Upstairs  there  are 
four  bedrooms  and  servants'  bedroom,  bathroom,  linen  cupboard,  and 
box-room.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architect. 

"  Kings- Wood, "  Harpsden   Heights,   Oxon.      John  W.    Fair  &  Val  Myer, 

Architects.     {Sec  p.  166.) 

This  house  is  built  of  brick,  faced  with  cement  rough-cast, 
lime-whitened.  The  base  is  built  of  local  red  bricks  and  the  quoins 
are  formed  with  tiles.  The  roofs  are  covered  with  hand-made  tiles 
and  the  exterior  woodwork  is  painted  white.  The  hall  and  staircase 
hall  are  paved  with  red  quarries  and  the  drawing-room  is  panelled 
and  painted  white,  while  the  dining-room  has  a  panelled  dado 
7  ft.  high,  with  beamed  ceiling.  On  the  ground  floor  there  are 
in  addition  to  the  accommodation  mentioned,  a  morning-room, 
verandah,  kitchen,  scullery,  laundry,  offices  and  enclosed  yard. 
On  the  upper  floor  there  are  six  bedrooms,  bathroom,  linen  and 
three  other  cupboards,  &c.     The  cost  was  .£1,527. 

Cottage  at  Wickham  Bishops,   Essex.     C.  H.  B.  Quenneil,  Architect. 

{Seep.  167.) 

This  cottage  has  been  designed  as  a  holiday  home,  and  the 
seven  bedrooms  are  all  on  one  floor  so  that  labour  is  reduced  as  much 
as  possible.  A  larger  dining-room  was  required  than  drawing-room, 
as  well  as  a  good  verandah.  In  addition  to  this  accommodation 
there  are  on  the  ground  floor  a  smoking-room,  kitchen,  and  offices, 
and  a  small  hall  with  fireplace.  There  are  a  bathroom  and  linen 
cupboard  on  the  first  floor.  The  walls,  which  are  built  with  a  hollow 
space,  are  of  red  brick,  and  the  roof  is  covefed  with  red  tiles.  The 
house  stands  on  high  land,  looking  towards  Maldon  and  an  arm  of 
the  Blackwater  river,  in  one  of  the  prettiest  parts  of  Essex.  Cost  on 
application  to  the  architect. 

"The   Warren,"   Totteridge,   Herts.     Nicholson  &   Corlette,   Architects. 

{Seep.  168.) 

This  is  another  excellent  cottage  design  by  Messrs.  Nicholson 
&  Corlette,  the  material  being  brick,  rough-casted,  with  a  roof 
of  red  tiles.  The  cottage  contains  on  the  ground  floor  a  dining- 
room,  drawing-room,  study,  small  hall,  kitchen  and  offices,  and 
on  the  upper  floor  four  bedrooms,  dressing-room,  bathroom,  and 
linen  cupboard.    The  cost  may  be  ascertained  from  the  architects. 

"The  Dingle,"  Dore,  Cheshire.  Edgar  Wood,  Architect.  {Seep.  169.) 
Mr.  Wood  has  a  wide  reputation  for  excellent  domestic  work, 
fully  borne  out  by  the  example  selected  to  represent  him  in  this  book. 
"  The  Dingle  "  is  a  charming  little  house  in  one  of  the  most  pic- 
turesque parts  of  England.  It  is  built  of  local  stone  rubble  with 
stone-slate  roof.  The  windows  have  wrought-iron  casements  with 
leaded  lights.  The  accommodation  comprises  on  the  ground  floor, 
dining-room,  hall,  nursery,  kitchen  and  scullery,  with  offices ;  on  the 
first  floor,  four  bedrooms  and  bathroom  ;  and  on  the  attic  floor,  two 
bedrooms  and  box-room.     The  cost   was  £i,joo. 

132 


,1  , 

IWK: 


GROUND    FLOOR 
PLAN. 


14h 

■house 


THE     BUNGALOW,     SEACROFT      LINCOLNSHIRE. 
A.    W     BRCWILL  and  BASIL   E.    BAILY,   Architects. 


UPPER     FLOOR 
PLAN. 


Built  of  red  bricks,  covered  above  the  plinth  with   rough-cast,  the  roof  being  covered  with  red  tiles.     Casement 
windows  with  leaded  lights.     Cost,  £1,200.     See  p.  101. 


133 


ENTRANCE     FRONT. 


flTjkGRfVND    PLAMjlI 


(facmMEElt  PlMtt 


HOUSE     AT     BRIDLINGTON.     YORKS. 

HERBERT  T.   BUCKLAltD  and  E.    HAYWOOD-FARMER,  Architects. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  the  roof  covered  with  Hartshill  tiles.     The  caps  of  the  chimneys  and  the  dressings  of 
the  front  door  are  of  Staffordshire  bricks,  rather  blue  in  colour.     Cost,  £1,112.     See  p.  102. 


•34 


GARDEN      FRONT:     LOOKING     SEAWARDS. 


THE     DINING-ROOM. 

HOUSE     AT     BRIDLINGTON.     (See  previous  poj«.) 


135 


7 

v> 

tc 

J 

o 

o 

o 

J. 

130 


ENTRANCE      FRONT. 


GROUND  FLOOR  PLAN. 
COTTAGE  AT  CAMBERLEY.  SURREY. 
C.    H.    8.    QUENNEU,   Architect. 

Built  of  red  brick,   upper  portion  rough-casted.      Roof  covered  with    red    tiles 
lights.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect.     See  p.  102. 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


Casement  windows  with  leaded 


'37 


COTTAGE     AT     CAMBERLEY,      FROM     THE     PLANTATION.      (■?«■    previous  page) 


COTTAGE     AT     HEYSHOTT.     MIDHURST,     SUSSEX:     GARDEN     FRONT.      (See  next  page.) 


138 


fffeST    ffODP     [fcW 


COTTAGE     AT     HEYSHOTT,     MIDHURST,     SUSSEX. 
HORACE  FIELD,   Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  red  tiled  roof.     Wood  casement  windows.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect. 
See  p.  102. 


139 


ENTRANCE     FRONT. 

Photograph   by   B.    A.    Poulter. 


GDOVND  PLGOD   PLAN 


NOTE 

TWO  BCDDGOM5  AND 
BOXCS  IN  QGDf  ALSO 
CEUAD  IN  BASEMENT 


TO5T  riQOD  PLAN 


"WOODCOTE,"     CAMBERLEY,     SURREY. 
H.    ft.   and  B.   A.    POULTER.    Architects. 

Built  with  a  brick  plinth,  oak  Umber  framing  above,  with  Taylor's  bricks  as  filling,  covered  with  cement 
rough-cast,  and  whitewashed.  Roof  covered  with  old  tiles.  Wrought  iron  casement  windows  with  leaded 
lights.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architects.     See  p.  103. 


140 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

Cottage  at  Coombe,  Surrey.     A.  Jessop  Hardwick,  Architect.     {Seep.  170.) 

The  feature  of  this  cottage  is  the  big  verandah,  about  35  feet 
long  by  14  feet  deep,  which  is  largely  used  by  the  owner  in  the 
summer  months  as  a  living-room.  Another  quaint  and  interesting 
feature  is  the  small  hall  and  the  vaulted  corridor  leading  out  of  it  to 
the  lobby  and  verandah.  This  corridor  is  large  enough  for  sitting 
purposes.  The  materials  used  were  red  brick  with  red  tiles  for  the 
roof.  The  woodwork  is  stained  to  a  very  dark,  almost  black,  brown. 
The  windows  have  leaded  lights  with  diamond  panes.  The  accom- 
modation on  the  ground  floor,  besides  the  verandah,  comprises  a 
dining-room,  drawing-room,  study,  kitchen,  and  offices.  On  the  first 
floor  are  four  bedrooms,  dressing-room,  and  bathroom,  and  there  are 
two  other  bedrooms  in  the  roof.  Cost  on  application  to  the 
architect. 

House  at   London   Road,    Newark,    Notts.     A.  W.  Brewill  &  Basil  E.   Baily, 

Architects.     (Seep.  171.) 

This  house  is  built  of  red  bricks,  the  upper  portion  being 
covered  with  rough-cast,  and  the  roof  covered  with  red  tiles.  The 
principal  external  feature  is  the  wood  modelled  cornice.  A  portion 
of  the  first  floor  is  brought  out,  forming  an  entrance  portico.  The 
roof  is  covered  with  red  tiles.  The  accommodation  provided  on 
the  ground  floor  consists  of  a  dining-room,  drawing-room,  and 
morning-room,  with  entrance  hall,  kitchen  and  offices.  On  the 
first  floor  there  are  four  bedrooms,  dressing-room,  bathroom  and 
linen  cupboard,  and  on  the  second  floor  there  are  four  more  rooms 
in  the  roof.     The  cost  was  ;£  1,650. 

Cottage  at   Biddenham,    Bedfordshire,   No.    1.     C.    E.   Mallows,    Architect. 

(Seepp.  172,  173.) 

This  is  a  very  charming  cottage  built  of  local  "  mingled  "  bricks, 
hard  and  well-burnt,  but  the  cheapest — or  nearly  the  cheapest — 
in  the  district.  The  uneven  surface  of  the  brickwork,  combined 
with  the  varying  tint  of  nearly  every  brick,  gives  a  very  pleasant 
texture  and  colour  effect  to  the  walls.  The  roof  is  covered  with 
local  hand-made  red  tiles,  which  in  course  of  time  will  weather  to  a 
deep  purple  tone.  The  woodwork  throughout  is  of  canary  whitewood, 
painted  green  outside  ;  and  inside,  left  untouched  from  the  bench. 
There  is  scarcely  any  internal  paintwork  of  any  kind.  The  garden 
was  also  designed  by  Mr.  Mallows,  and  with  the  exception  of  a 
lily  pond,  was  carried  out  as  originally  schemed.  The  accommo- 
dation consists  of  a  large  breakfast-room,  and  larger  dining-room 
with  ingle  and  window  seat,  a  study  and  small  hall,  china  closet, 
kitchen,  offices,  and  bicycle  house.  On  the  first  floor  there  are 
seven  bedrooms,  linen-room,  bathroom  with  fireplace,  and  four  large 
cupboards.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architect. 

Cottage  at  Biddenham,    Bedfordshire,    No.   2.     C.   E.   Mallows,    Architect. 

(Seepp.  174,  175.) 

This  typical  English  cottage  home  is  built  in  the  lower  part 
of  local  hand-made    red   bricks,    with    the    upper   part   of  common 

11 1 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

brick  covered  with  Portland  cement  rough-cast.  Externally  and 
internally  the  woodwork  is  painted  white.  The  roof  is  covered 
with  red  local  hand-made  tiles  similar  to  the  other  cottage  at 
Biddenham  by  the  same  architect.  The  gardens  in  each  case 
were  designed  by  the  architect  and  are  often  mistaken  now  for 
old  gardens.  In  the  present  case  the  yew  hedges  are  some  four 
or  five  feet  high.  The  accommodation  comprises  large  drawing- 
room  extending  the  full  depth  of  the  house,  small  hall,  dining- 
room,  morning-room,  kitchen,  scullery,  cycle  house  and  offices. 
On  the  first  floor  there  are  five  bedrooms,  two  linen  cupboards 
and  bathroom,  and  boxroom  in  the  loft  entered  through  a  trapdoor 
in  the  ceiling  of  first-floor  landing.  Cost  on  application  to  the 
architect. 

"  Foxhold,"    Newbury,   Berks.      Mervyn   E.   Macartney,   Architect. 

{Sec  pp.  175,  176,  177.) 

This  is  another  of  Mr.  Macartney's  charming  country  homes. 
The  difficulty  in  illustrating  it  has  been  to  get  an  adequate  view, 
as  its  picturesque  situation,  with  the  rapidly  falling  ground  round  it 
and  with  the  one  possible  standpoint  blocked  by  a  high  yew  hedge, 
made  only  a  sidelong  perspective  obtainable.  The  house  is  built  of 
red  brick,  and  the  roof  is  covered  with  old  tiles.  The  casement 
windows  have  leaded  lights.  On  the  ground  floor  there  is  a  large 
studio  with  entrance  to  the  garden,  and  doors  communicating  with 
the  drawing-room  ;  these  with  the  dining-room  make  up  the  sitting- 
room  accommodation,  which  is  shut  off  from  the  kitchen  department. 
On  the  upper  floor  there  are  six  bedrooms,  a  dressing-room,  day 
and  night  nurseries,  bathroom,  hot  closet,  linen  cupboard,  &c.  The 
garden  was  laid  out  from  the  architect's  design. 

House  at  Orford,  Suffolk.     Harry  Sirr  and  E.  J.   Rope,  Architects. 

{See  pp.  177,  178.) 

The  house  was  planned  to  give  the  principal  rooms  a  south-east 
aspect  for  the  sake  of  the  sea  and  river  view  and  the  yacht  racing. 
The  materials  are  local  red  bricks  and  Yorkshire  tiles,  and  the 
exterior  elevations  above  the  first-floor  string  level,  as  well  as  the 
whole  of  the  two-storied  bays,  are  all  treated  with  plaster-work  in 
panels.  The  hall  and  the  staircase  have  panelled  wood  dadoes ; 
the  four  enclosing  walls  of  staircase  from  first  floor  up  to  ceiling 
are  panelled  in  plaster  and  wood,  and  the  ceiling  beams  are 
exposed.  The  bays  of  the  drawing-  and  dining-rooms,  and  also 
the  side-board  recess,  are  wood  panelled,  and  the  window  recess 
in  the  hall  is  treated  similarly.  There  are  two  very  commodious 
attics,  the  easternmost  with  an  excellent  view  across  the  river  and 
intervening  beach  to  the  sea  beyond.  There  is  also  a  large 
cistern-room  on  this  floor  (over  the  bathroom)  besides  an  apple 
loft  and  several  store  cupboards  —  in  fact  the  whole  area  of  the 
attic  is  floored  and  made  use  of.  There  is  a  cellar  for  beer,  &c, 
below  pantry.  The  interior  plaster-work  is  Durescoed.  Inclusive 
of  detached  offices,  well,  rain-water  drains,  and  underground  storage 
tank,  and  soil  drains,  the  cost  was  £1,637. 

142 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

House  at  Loughton,  Essex.  T.  Phillips  Figgis,  Architect.  {Seep.  179.) 
This  house,  which  has  been  built  on  a  quick  sloping  site  at  the 
top  of  a  hill  overlooking  Epping  Forest,  contains  on  the  ground  floor 
a  good-sized  sitting-room-hall,  drawing-room,  dining-room,  and  the 
usual  kitchen  offices.  On  the  first  floor,  four  bedrooms,  bathroom, 
&c,  and  on  second  floor  two  bedrooms.  The  owner  stipulated  for 
few  bedrooms  but  of  good  proportions  in  preference  to  a  greater 
number  of  smaller  area.  The  fall  in  the  ground  has  admitted  of 
a  large  billiard  room  being  provided  in  the  basement.  In  order  to 
secure  a  particular  view,  and  likewise  the  western  sun,  the  drawing- 
room  wing  is  projected  at  a  special  angle.  The  external  walls  are 
faced  with  red  bricks  and  rough-cast  on  the  upper  storey.  The  roofs 
are  covered  with  Broseley  tiles  and  the  gables  tile  hung.  The  total 
cost,  including  the  fencing  in  of  |  of  an  acre,  amounted  to  £1,780. 

Five  Cottages  at  Woking,  Surrey.     Horace  Field,   Architect. 

(Seep.  180.) 

These  five  cottages  were  originally  intended  for  labourers,  but 
two  or  three  of  them  have  been  taken  for  week-end  dwellings,  and 
they  are  therefore  illustrated  as  a  suggestion  for  a  community'  who 
desire  to  live  in  the  country  and  who  require  accommodation  at  a 
minimum  cost.  The  walls  are  of  brick,  covered  with  cement,  rough- 
cast, and  the  roofs  are  covered  with  red  sand-faced  tiles.  The  court- 
yard faces  south,  and  has  a  pleasant  outlook  over  a  small  common. 
The  cottages  are  situated  about  f  of  a  mile  from  Worplesdon  Station. 
The  accommodation,  as  can  be  seen,  is  limited,  consisting  of  a  living- 
room,  kitchen,  small  scullery.  Considerable  ingenuity  is  shown  in 
the  planning.  Each  cottage  has  three  bedrooms.  Cost,  £1,800,  or 
£360  each. 

Pair  of  Houses,  Letchworth,   Herts.     H.  Clapham   Lander,   Architect. 

(See  pp.  181,  182.) 

These  houses  form  one  of  the  picturesque  new  blocks  at  the 
Garden  City.  The  garden  fronts  have  a  south-easterly  aspect,  and 
the  road  front  consequently  a  north-westerly  one.  All  windows 
receive  direct  sunlight  at  some  hour  of  the  day.  There  are  no 
unsightly  back  premises,  the  intention  being  that  the  houses  should 
look  equally  well  from  any  point  of  view.  The  site  is  fairly  level, 
but  slopes  somewhat  towards  the  north.  The  materials  employed 
are  brick  walls  covered  externally  with  rough-cast,  and  plain  tiles  on 
roof.  Internally  granite  silicon  partitions,  2  inches  thick,  have  been 
employed,  with  6-inch  square  oak  posts  to  carry  the  weights.  The 
floors  are  of  polished  oak,  and  the  staircase  and  other  principal 
pieces  of  woodwork,  including  the  doors,  are  also  of  oak.  The  walls 
of  the  rooms  are  covered  with  brown  paper,  except  in  the  kitchen, 
bathroom,  and  lavatory,  which  are  painted  with  white  enamel.  The 
plans  show  how  exceedingly  well  adapted  the  houses  are  for  the 
simpler  conditions  of  life  in  week-end  country  visits  or  summer 
homes.     The  cost  of  the   pair  was  about  £1,700. 


143 


CHAPTER   VI. 

Descriptions  of  Cottages  and  Houses  Costing  from 
£2,000  to  £3,500. 

It  is  extremely  difficult  to  draw  a  hard-and-fast  line  between 
dwellings  that  may  and  may  not  be  defined  under  the  generic  title 
of  cottage.  To  the  majority  of  people  any  house  costing  over 
£1,000,  or  even  a  less  sum — say  £750 — is  obviously  not  a  cottage. 
Yet  numerous  examples — some  of  which  are  shown  here — can  be 
illustrated,  which  from  their  appearance  are  obviously  designed  on 
the  old  cottage  lines,  but  in  the  matter  of  cost  are  not  so  easily 
designated.  It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  while  the  homely  cottage 
exterior  may  appeal  to  many  people,  the  still  more  homely  interior 
of  the  old  cottage  strikes  an  unresponsive  chord,  and  thus  the  interior 
decoration  and  fitting  are  carried  out  on  an  entirely  different  basis. 
This  fact  in  very  many  cases  is  responsible  for  a  large  increase  in 
the  total  cost. 

Cottage  at  Greenham  Common,  Berks.     Mervyn   E.    Macartney,    Architect. 

(Seepp.  182,  183.) 

This  cottage  was  specially  designed  to  provide  separate  and 
distinct  accommodation  for  a  caretaker  to  take  charge  of  the  place 
during  the  absence  of  the  owner,  and  as  shown  on  the  plans  the 
caretaker's  sitting-room  and  bedroom  is  shut  off  from  the  rest  of 
the  house,  being  planned  in  one  corner  of  the  building,  having  easy 
communication  with  the  kitchen,  &c.  Besides  the  caretaker's  rooms 
there  are  on  the  ground  floor  a  dining-room  opening  into  a  loggia, 
kitchen,  scullery,  cycle-room,  room  for  heating  apparatus,  and  offices. 
On  the  first  floor  there  is  a  large  laboratory,  drawing-room,  and 
three  bedrooms ;  and  on  the  second  floor  there  are  two  bedrooms, 
bathroom,  linen  cupboard,  and  box-room.  The  house  is  built  of 
brick,  rough-casted,  and  stone  dressings  to,  windows,  &c.  The  walls 
have  been  wired  over  for  creepers,  which  gives  the  diaper  effect  seen 
in  the  illustration.  The  roof  is  covered  with  red  tiles,  and  the 
windows  have  wrought-iron  casements  with  leaded  lights.  A  feature 
is  the  garden  laid  out  from  the  architect's  designs,  and  the  little 
garden-house  is  illustrated.     Cost  on  application  to  the  architect. 

The  White  Cottage,   Hampstead.     Horace  Field,  Architect.     {Seep.  184.) 

This  is  a  borderland  cottage — on  the  border  between  town  and 
country — and  was  erected  for  an  artist.  It  is  built  of  brick,  rough- 
casted, and  has  a  red-tiled  roof.     The  accommodation  on  the  ground 

144 


GROUND 
FLOOR 
PLAN. 


FIRST 
FLOOR 

PLAN. 


PLAN     OF     THE     "WHITE     COTTAGES." 
WHITE     COTTAGES        AND     "FRIDHEM,       HUNSTANTON. 
H.   0.   IBBERSOH,  Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  local  stone  dressings.     Cost  of  "  White  Cottages,"  ,£1,192.     See  p.  103. 


M5 


146 


£47 


rf^s 


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149 


NOTE    THREE  SERVANTS 
BEDRGDMS  AND 
A  BOXRGDM  IN  RGDf 
AND  A  HEATING 
CHAMBCQ  IN  BASEMENT 


"  INGLE  DELL,"     CAMBERLEY.     SURREY. 
H.   ft.   and  8.  A.   POULTCH,   Architects. 

Built  of  local  bricks,  lime  rough-casted,  and  exterior  woodwork  painted  brown.     Roof  covered  with  red  hand-made 
:  l<         Cost  on  application  to  the  Architects.     See  p.  104 


GARDEN     FRONT. 
Photograph   by    W.   H.    Watts. 


JB8/ND  fLCQQ  PLAN 


-   '  ■' 


COTTAGE     AT     LETCHWORTH,    HERTS. 
*f.    H-    BAILUE  SCOTT,    Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-cast,  with  old  tiles  on  roof,  and  casement  windows  with  lead;d  lights.     Cost  on  application   to 
the  Architect.     See  p.  104. 


151 


COTTAGE     AT     LETCHWORTH.     (See  previous  page.) 
Photograph  by   W.    H.    Watts. 


COTTAGE     AT     HARMER     GREEN  :     GARDEN      FRONT.     (See  next  page.) 


152 


I   1  iM     in 


ENTRANCE      FRONT. 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 

COTTAGE     AT     HARMER     GREEN. 

EDEN  and  FREEMAN,  Architects. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  old  tiles  on  the  roof.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architects.     See  p.  104. 


Q 


'53 


♦     nesr    ns*2     $ah    ♦ 


COTTAGE     AT     ROEHAMPTON,     SURREY.      NO.     1. 
A.   JESSOP  KARDW1CK,  Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-cast,  with  woodwork  of  Oregon  pine,  stained  to  a  very  dark  brown  colour,  almost  black.  The 
shutters  are  painted  green.  The  small  dome  is  covered  with  copper,  and  the  roof  with  red  tiles.  Cost  on 
application  to  the  Architect.     Seep.  129. 


154 


niiiiini 


e-H 


GSJiUMO       fL-OOK.       Pi-A* 


•  FIR.5T     FLOOR    fLRM     • 


COTTAGE     AT     ROEHAMPTON      SURREY.      NO.     2. 
A.   JESSOP  HARDWICK,   Architect. 

Built  of  red  brick,  with  upper  part  in  oak,  half-timber  and  tile  fa,  ings      Roof  of  red  tiles.      Wood  casement 


windows  with  leaded  lights.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect.      See  p.  129, 


155 


Photograph   by    8.    A.    Poulte 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 


UPPER     FLOOR     PLAN. 


CURRAGHVOE,'      CAMBERLEY,     SURREY 
H.   H.   ami  8.   A.   POULTPR,  Architects 


Buill    of    brick,    rough-cast,  and   whitewashed.      The  external   woodwork   is  creosoted.     The  roofs  are  covered 
witli  old  tiles.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architects.     Seep.  129. 


156 


GARDEN      FRONT. 


\c 

"O" 

■ 

- 

-'■ 

iSo 

14a 

-C 

nt30l>ND    Puv* 


!'n  UBOOM    P!\\ 


DESIGN      FOR     A     COTTAGE     RESIDENCE.     NOT     CARRIED     OUT. 
WM.    HENRY    WHITE.    Architect 

To    be    built    of   brick,    rough-casted,    and   finished   to    a    cream    colour.     Casement   windows      Ci 
estimated  at  £1,300.     See  p.   130. 


157 


'■thjyr 


y.L,^ 


EnTRAnCl 


GROUND     FLOOR      PLAN. 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


HOUSE     AT     GARBOLDISHAM.     NORFOLK. 
P.   MORLEY  HORDBR,   Architect. 


The  buildings  outlined  were  formerly  used  as  a  brewhouse,  and  have  been  converted  and  adapted  for  stabling  and 
gardener's  cottage.     On  to  them  the  house  has  been  built  at  a  cost  of  ^1,500.     See  p.  1 30. 


158 


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c./*&. 


Xsncn/ffxr-     x    VSJ 


rur 


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lllllllllll 


f" ffftJ!/- 


7Pm 


GP°U/fO  /Zoo/p  Plfitf 


F/PJT  fl°oppi/lV 


COTTAGE     AT     PURLEY,     SURREY. 
C.   H.   8.    QUENNELL,   Architect. 

Built   of  red  brick,  with  red  tiled  roof  and  wood  casement  windows.      Cost   on   application   to   the  Architect. 
See  p.  130. 


159 


8 

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1 60 


Lj?  ■  -.    ■/  ?:.■:•  :<i.  'V-. ..... 

HOUSE     AT     WIGGINTON,     STAFFORDSHIRE. 
HERBERT   T.    BUCKLAND  and  E.    HAYWOOD-FARUER,    Architects. 

Built  of  thin  2  inch  Black  Country  bricks,  with  thick  white  joints.     Rool  of  Hartshill  tiles.     Cost,  exclusive  of 
stabling.  £1,293.     Seep    131 


161 


HOUSE     AT     WIGGINTON.       GARDEN      FRONT.     See  preuious  page. 


THE     WHITE     COTTAGE,''     ENGLEFIELD     GREEN,     EGHAM.    See  next  page. 
Photograph  by   the   City  Art  Photo.   Co. 


162 


VIEW     FROM     THE     GARDEN. 
Photograph  by  the  City  Art  Photo.   Co. 


GROUND  PLAN 


BEDROOM     PLAN 


THE     WHITE     COTTAGE.'     ENGLEFIELD     GREEN,     EGHAM.     SURREY. 
NICHOLSON  and  CORLETTE,   Architects. 

Built   of  brick,  covered   with   white   rough-cast,    roof  covered    with    pantiles.     Exterior  woodwork  painted  white 
and  jalousies  green.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architects.     Seep.  131. 


163 


HOUSE     AT     SWANSEA,     S.     WALES. 
P     MORLCY   HORDIB,    Architect. 

Built  of  local  stone,  rough-cast.      Roof  covered  with  Westmoreland  slates.     Wrought  iron  casements  with  leaded 
lights.     Cost,  £1, 600.     Seep.  131. 


1'. 1 


yueff 


/jVx/bfta  jy  SW 


COTTAGE     AT     NORTHWOOD,     MIDDLESEX. 
C.    H     B.    QUENHELL,    Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  red  tile  roofs.     The  plan  was  arranged  as  shown  to  show  a  fine  old  tree  indicated 
m  the  sketch.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect.     See  p.  131. 


165 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 


UPPER     FLOOR     PLAN. 


KINGS-WOOD.'     HARPSDEN      HEIGHTS.     OXON 
JOHN    IV.    FAIR  and   VAL  MYER,  Architects. 

Built  cif  brick,  faced  with  cement  rough-cast  and  lime-whitened.  Hase  of  local  red  bricks  and  quoins  formed 
with  tiles.  Roof  covered  with  hand-made  tiles  and  the  exterior  woodwork  painted  white.  Cost  £1,527. 
See  p.  132. 


166 


c?*c/?tfrrf- 


1  W       -■   '    - 


>"■''. ■'  '- 


G/POU/iD  flOOP/tyh 


f/fyrfwoePi/, 


COTTAGE     AT     WICKHAM      BISHOPS,     ESSEX. 
C.    H-   B.    QUENHELL,   Architect. 

Built  of  red  brick,  with  red  tiled  roof.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect.     See  page  132. 


167 


Wrk~ 


Photograph   by   the    City   Art   Photo.    Co. 


GROUND  FLOOR  PLAN 
THE     WARREN."     TOTTERIDGE,     HERTS 
HICHOLSON  AND  CORLETTE,   Architects 


DROCM   f*    *1   BEDftOO 


<     upper   „>      \h    i 


FIRST  FLOOR  PLAN 


Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with   red   tile  roof.     External  woodwork   paint.'. I   white,  except  jalousies,   which  ar< 
1,1  :       Cost  on  applic n  to  the  Architects.     Seep    [32 


ibS 


GROUND    FLOOR    PLAN. 


FIRST    FLOOR    PLAN. 


ATTIC     PLAN. 


THE     DINGLE,       DORE,     CHESHIRE. 
EDGAR   WOOD,   Architect. 


Built  of  local  stone  rubble,  with  stone-slate  roof.     Windows  with  wrought-iron  casements  and  leaded  lights.     Cost, 
£1,700.     See  p.  132. 


169 


GROUND     FLOOR   PLAN. 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


COTTAGE    AT    COOMBE,    SURREY. 
A.  Jessop  Hardwick,  Architect. 

limit   of  red   brick,  with    red   tile  roof.      A   feature  of  the  house  is  the  big   verandah.     Cost   on   application 
to  the  Architect.     Seep.  141. 


170 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


HOUSE     AT     LONDON     ROAD,     NEWARK,     NOTTS 
A.    W.    BRCWILL  and  BASIL  E.    BAILY,   Architects. 


Built  of  red  bricks,  the  upper  portion  covered  with  rough-cast,  and  the  roof  covered  with  red  tiles.      The   principal 
external  feature  is  a  wood  moduled  cornice.     The  cost  was  £1,650.     Seep.  141. 


171 


GROUND     PLAN. 


BEDROOM    PLAN. 


COTTAGE     AT     BIDDENHAM,     BEDFORDSHIRE.      NO.     1. 
C.   E.    MALLOWS,   Architect. 


Built  of  local  "  mingled  "   hard   well-burnt  bricks,  with  local  hand-made  red  tile  roof,  weathering  in  time  to  deep 
purple.     Exterior  woodwork  painted  green.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect.     See  p.  141. 


172 


«73 


GARDEN     FRONT. 


BEDROOM      PLAN. 


GROUND     PLAN. 


COTTAGE     AT     BIDDENHAM,      BEDFORDSHIRE.     NO.     2. 
C.   C.   MALLOWS,   Architect. 


1  'i i ilt  of  brick,  rough-casted  on  upper  storey,  with  red  tile  roof.     Leaded  light  casements.    Cost  on  application  to 
the  Architect.     See  p.  141 


'74 


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z 
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I- 
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KITCMEN   PA55AGE 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 
"FOXHOLD.'     NEWBURY,     BERKS. 

MERVVN  E.    MACARTNEY,  Architect. 

Built  of  red  brick,  roof  covered  with  old  tiles.      Casement  windows  with  leaded  lights.       Cost  on  application 
to  the  Architect.     See  p.  142. 


176 


A     CORNER     OF     THE      LAWN     AND     THE     STABLES. 
"FOXHOLD"     NEWBURY      BERKS. 


HOUSE     AT     ORFORD.     SUFFOLK:     THE      HALL      (See  next  page.) 
Photograph  by   H.   Dixon  &  Son. 


177 


ENTRANCE      FRONT. 
Photograph    by   H.    Dixon    &   Son. 


GROUND     FLOOR. 

HOUSE     AT     ORFORD.     SUFFOLK. 
HARRY  S1RR  and   f.    J     ROPE,   Architects. 


CHAMBER     FLOOR. 


Built  "I  local  red  brii  ks  and  Yorkshire  tiles,  the  exterior  walls  above  the  ground  floor  and  the  bays  are  treated  with 
plaster-work  in  panels   -some  "combed"   in  with   the  old-fashioned  tool.     Cost,  £1,637.     Seep.  142. 


.78 


C0N5[RWTI 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 
HOUSE     AT     LOUGHTON,     ESSEX. 
T.    PHILLIPS  FIGGIS,   Architect. 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


External  walls  faced  with  red  bricks,  and  rough-cast  on  the  upper  storev.   Roof  covered  with  Broseley  tiles,  and   the 
gables  tile  hung.     Cost,  £1,780.     See  p.  143 


179 


GROUP     OF     FIVE     COTTAGES     AT     WOKING,     SURREY. 
HORACE  FIELD,  Architect 

Built  of  brick,  rongh-casted,  with  red  tile  roofs.     Wooden  casement  windows.    Originally  intended  for  workpeople ; 
but  two  or  three  are  let  as  week-end  cottages.     Cost  for  the  five,  /i.Soo.    See  p.  143. 


I  So 


Ground  Plan. 

DflIB  OF  hOU5L5   LlTCMWOQTH  .   HELBT5 


HCLflPMRfn  LANDFJJ    flBlFJ:^         PiSCHITLCT 


PAIR     OF     HOUSES     AT     LETCHWORTH. 
H.    CLAPHAM    LANDER.    Architect. 


Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  red  tiled  roofs.     Woodwork  painted  green.     Cost,  /i,7oo.     See  p.  143. 


HOUSES     AT      LETCHWORTH:     A     HALL.     iSee  previous  oage) 


COTTAGE     AT     GREENHAM     COMMON       BERKS:     THE      GARDEN      HOUSE.     (Ste  ntxt  page.) 


182 


VIEW     FROM     THE     GARDEN. 


COTTAGE     AT     GREENHAM     COMMON.     BERKS. 
MSRVYH   C.    MACARTNEY,    Architect. 


ATTIC     PLAN. 


Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  stone  dressings  to  windows,  etc.      Wrought-iron  casements  with  leaded  lights. 
See  p.  144. 


183 


GROUND     FLOOR      PLAN. 


THE     WHITE     COTTAGE,     HAMPSTEAD. 
HORACE  FIELD,   Architect 


Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  red  tiled  roof.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect.     See  p.  144. 


184 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

floor  comprises  dining-room,  drawing-room,  morning-room,  large 
studio,  kitchen,  scullery,  and  offices ;  on  the  first  floor  there  are  six 
bedrooms,  bathroom,  &c.  The  cost  may  be  ascertained  on 
application  to  the  architect. 

Cottage  at   Minehead,   Somerset.       Barry   Parker    &   Raymond 
Unwin,    Architects.     {Sec pp.  193,  194.) 

This  beautiful  dwelling  in  charming  surroundings  was  by  no 
means  easy  to  plan  successfully.  The  finest  view  was  towards  the 
east,  and  it  was  the  owner's  desire  that  the  principal  rooms  should 
face  that  way.  The  land  falls  very  rapidly  from  south  to  north,  and 
there  is  a  fine  view  from  the  north.  To  give  all  the  important  rooms 
a  southern  exposure,  while  gaining  for  them  a  view  to  the  east,  and 
for  the  living-room,  at  any  rate,  that  to  the  north  and  a  charming 
peep  up  the  valley  to  the  west,  was  a  difficult  matter.  Then  to  place 
all  the  stables  in  such  a  way  as  not  to  obstruct  any  sunshine  on  the 
house  was  another  problem  complicated  by  the  necessity  of  making 
the  approach  to  the  house  from  the  north  side.  The  house  was 
built  as  largely  as  possible  of  local  material.  The  walls  were 
rubble,  of  stone  got  from  a  quarry  a  few  hundred  yards  away. 
The  outside  was  rough-cast  with  local  lime  and  gravel,  which  gives 
a  beautiful  cream  colour.  The  insides  of  the  walls  were  finished 
in  Cheddar  lime  worked  up  to  a  rough  stucco  surface,  and  left 
without  any  decoration  or  colour  or  anything  to  in  any  way 
change  the  white  effect  resulting  from  the  use  of  this  lime.  There 
was  nothing  special  used  in  the  way  of  woods  for  the  internal 
joinery ;  it  was  all  of  red  deal  or  pine.  The  window  casements 
were  of  wrought  iron  with  leaded  panes.  The  roof  was  thatched, 
and  the  pavement  of  the  courtyard  and  the  steps  were  of  Delabole 
slate.  The  accommodation  is  on  the  modern  plan.  A  large 
living  room  with  ingle,  a  study,  dining-room,  pantry,  kitchen, 
scullery,  with  enclosed  yard  and  offices,  are  on  the  ground  floor. 
On  the  upper  floor  are  four  bedrooms,  dressing-room  and  bath- 
room. The  large  living  room  goes  right  up  to  the  roof,  and  is 
overlooked  from  a  little  gallery  on  the  first  floor.  Cost  on  appli- 
cation to  the  architects. 

"The  Croft,"  Winchfield,   Hants.     Robert  Weir  Schultz,   Architect. 

{See  pp.  195,  196.) 

The  walls  of  this  picturesque  house  are  of  red  hand-made  facing 
bricks,  built  hollow,  and  are  eleven  inches  thick.  The  roof  is  boarded, 
felted,  and  covered  with  dark  hand-made  tiles.  There  are  fir  beams 
to  the  ceilings  of  the  drawing-room,  dining-room,  and  hall.  The 
ingle  in  the  drawing-room  is  built  with  thin  bricks.  The  ground  plan 
shows  a  small  hexagonal  porch,  with  inner  doors  opening  into  the 
hall  and  smoking-room,  and  large  dining  and  drawing-rooms,  each 
with  bays  and  having  communicating  doors.  There  is  also  kitchen, 
scullery,  and  offices.  On  the  first  floor  there  are  four  bedrooms,  two 
dressing-rooms,  bathroom,  linen-room,  &c,  and  on  the  second  floor 
five  bedrooms,  box-room,  &c.     The  estimated  cost  was  about  ^2,000. 

U  185 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

"The  Orchard,"  Chorley  Wood,   Hertfordshire.      C.  F.  A.  Voysey,  Architect. 

(See  pp    iq6,  197.) 

This  cottage  is  of  particular  interest,  as  it  was  built  by  Mr. 
Voysey  for  his  own  use,  and  may  therefore  be  taken  to  represent  this 
well-known  architect's  ideal  of  a  home.  The  site  is  four  hundred 
feet  above  sea  level,  and  is  situated  in  an  old  orchard  of  about  2f 
acres  in  extent,  standing  on  ground  sloping  slightly  to  the  south.  On 
the  sunny  side  of  the  house  is  a  large  cherry  tree,  hfty-nine  feet  in 
diameter,  which  casts  a  cool  shade  on  the  lawn ;  but  is  not  near 
enough  to  shut  the  sun  from  any  windows  of  the  cottage.  There  are 
three  other  such  cherry  trees,  but  hardly  so  large,  and  about  100 
apple  trees,  mostly  of  considerable  age  ;  two  walnut  trees,  one 
mulberry,  and  a  well-formed  wych  elm.  The  ground  is  surrounded 
on  three  sides  by  very  high  hedges  interspersed  with  holly  bushes. 
The  soil  is  gravel  on  chalk,  and  the  cowslips,  primroses,  buttercups, 
snowdrops,  violets,  orchids,  and  honeysuckle  grow  wild  in  their 
respective  seasons.  The  site  is  therefore  ideal,  and  is  further 
improved  by  the  surrounding  properties.  At  the  back  is  common 
land,  and  facing  the  dwelling  is  a  wood,  the  property  of  the  Duke 
of  Bedford,  which  is  not  to  be  bought  or  built  over.  The  dwelling 
is  small,  having  only  five  bedrooms  and  a  good  sized  box-room,  with 
ventilation  at  each  end,  the  hot  water  tank  in  the  middle  warming 
long  rows  of  shelves  where  linen  is  kept.  The  dining-room  is 
20  ft.  by  15  ft.,  and  the  study  20  ft.  by  12  ft.,  with  a  recess  for  an 
ottoman  couch.  The  schoolroom  is  14  ft.  by  12  ft.  This  room  and 
the  dining-room  have  long  windows  which  let  in  all  the  sun  till  the 
hottest  time  of  the  day,  when  the  sun  gets  round  to  the  end  of 
the  house  with  its  one  small  circular  window.  The  hall  is  16  ft.  by 
17  ft.  with  the  porch  cut  off  one  corner.  It  has  a  fireplace,  and  a 
long  window  seat  arranged  for  the  storage  of  rugs.  Under  the 
lavatory  is  a  cellar,  which  derives  light  and  air  from  a  window  above 
ground  level  but  under  the  lavatory  enclosure.  The  study  has  a 
steady  north  light  and  plenty  of  it.  The  rooms  throughout  the 
house  are  only  eight  feet  high,  and  with  their  deep  white  lrieze  have 
an  abundance  of  reflecting  surface. 

Externally  the  house  is  of  cement,  rough-cast,  over  brick,  the 
rough-cast  being  lime  whitened.  The  windows  have  dressings  of 
Corsham  Down  stone  and  are  fitted  with  iron  casements  and  leaded 
lights.  All  the  paint-work  outside  is  of  pale  Brunswick  green,  and 
the  roofing  is  of  green  American  slates  in  gradating  courses.  These 
are  in  colour  a  silvery  gray,  tinged  here  and  there  with  pigeon 
plumage  tints.  The  chimneys  are  surmounted  with  tapered  pots, 
twice  tarred.  From  the  entrance  gate  to  the  main  entrance  porch, 
the  hall,  kitchen,  and  offices  are  paved  with  large  slabs  of  Delabole 
grey  slate,  all  the  woodwork  throughout  the  interior  being  painted 
white.  Every  room  has  a  low  picture-rail  with  distemper  white 
frieze  and  ceiling  above.  The  filling  below  in  the  hall,  and  on  the 
staircase  and  landing  is  plain  purple  Eltonbury  silk  fibre  paper. 
The  dining-room  walls  are  covered  with  the  same  material  in  green. 

186 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

The  other  rooms  are  papered  with  pattern  papers,  and  the  floors  are 
covered  with  carpets  designed  by  the  architect.  The  whole  of  the 
first  floor  is  covered  with  green  cork  carpet  fitted  to  the  walls,  and 
upon  this  mats  are  placed  where  required.  Most  of  the  furniture  is 
in  quite  plain  oak,  unstained  and  unpolished  from  Mr.  Voysey's 
designs.     The  cost  was  about  .£3,000. 

"  Beaumonts,"   Edenbridge,   Kent.     Robert  Weir  Schultz,  Architect. 

{Sec  pp.  198,  199.) 

No  book  on  English  domestic  architecture  would  be  complete 
without  some  examples  of  the  excellent  work  of  Mr.  Schultz.  The 
three  examples  shown  in  this  book  are  examples  of  the  inimitable 
note  of  domesticity,  free  from  ostentation  and  vulgarity,  which  has 
been  more  fully  explained  in  another  chapter.  "  Beaumonts  "  is  a 
fairly  large  house,  built  of  red  hand-made  local  bricks.  The  upper 
part  of  the  walls  on  two  sides  are  tile  hung  on  brick-nogging,  and, 
on  the  third  side,  rough-cast  on  metal  lathing.  The  dining-room  and 
hall  have  oak  furnishings,  and  the  principal  staircase  is  of  oak.  The 
ground-floor  plan  shows  large  drawing-room,  dining-room,  and  sitting 
hall,  with  servants'  hall,  kitchen,  scullery,  and  offices.  On  the  upper 
floor  are  seven  bedrooms,  bathroom,  linen  cupboard,  and  box-room. 
The  cost  was  about  £2,400. 

Cottage  at  Bury,    Sussex.     Charles  Spooner,  Architect.     (Sec pp.  199,  201.) 

This  charming  thatched  cottage  was  constructed  by  altering  and 
adding  to  a  small  farmhouse  and  outbuildings.  About  it  there  is 
little  to  be  said  except  that  in  the  new  work  every  endeavour  was 
made  to  preserve  the  harmony  of  the  old  work,  and  how  successfully 
this  has  been  done  may  be  judged  from  the  illustrations.  On  the 
ground  floor  there  is  a  large  parlour,  sitting-hall,  dining-room, 
kitchen,  and  offices.  On  the  upper  floor,  six  bedrooms.  The 
materials  are  local  stone  with  Doulting  stone  dressings.  The  roof 
is  of  reed  thatch,  English  oak  is  used  for  the  joinery,  and  wrought 
iron  fittings.  The  cost  of  alteration  and  reconstruction  amounted 
to  £2,000. 

Cottage  at  Leatherhead.     P.  Morley  riorder,  Architect.     (See pp.  201,  202.) 

This  is  an  interesting  example  of  Mr.  Horder's  work,  and  the 
plan  is  uncommon.  The  house  is  built  on  the  golf-links  and  has  only 
a  small  formal  garden,  being  practically  open  to  the  links.  It  is,  of 
course,  more  of  a  permanent  country  home  than  a  week-end  cottage. 
The  walls  are  of  brick,  rough-casted,  and  the  roofs  are  covered  with 
tiles.  Some  of  the  interior  fireplaces  are  of  brick  with  open  hearths, 
but  generally  speaking  there  is  nothing  exceptional  in  the  fitting  up 
of  the  interior,  and  the  cost  is  very  reasonable.  The  features  of  the 
house  are  the  large  paved  verandah  to  the  south,  the  sloping 
wings,  and  the  arched  gable  end  forming  an  open  air  bedroom  recess. 
The  cottage  was  to  be  broken  up  with  gables  as  much  as  possible 
by  the    client's    request,   making    it   difficult    to  reconcile  the  larger 

is7 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

openings  formed  by  sash  windows,  which  were  also  stipulated  for. 
The  rooms  inside  are  low — eight  feet  high- — but  the  windows  are  kept 
high,  with  the  ceilings  coved  down  on  to  the  architrave  of  the  windows, 
merely  a  plain  band  of  wood  connecting  windows  and  doors,  and  the 
plain  pilasters  of  the  chimney  pieces.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  accom- 
modation in  the  house,  as  in  addition  to  the  usual  dining-room, 
drawing-room,  and  small  study,  the  hall  forms  a  separate  room,  and 
the  schoolroom  almost  a  wing  in  itself.  Upstairs  there  are  seven 
bedrooms  and  two  bathrooms.  The  back  staircase  is  conveniently 
arranged  in  the  servants'  wing.  The  cost  can  be  ascertained  on 
application  to  the  architect. 

House    at    Stanmore,    Middlesex.       Horace    Field,    Architect. 

{Sec p.  203.) 

This  house  was  built  close  to  the  golf  links  as  a  residence.  The 
brickwork  is  red,  and  the  roofs  and  tile  facings  are  of  red  sand-faced 
tiles.  The  accommodation  comprises  drawing-room  and  ante-room, 
dining-room,  billiard  room,  small  hall  with  fireplace,  cycle  house, 
kitchen  and  offices.  On  the  first  floor  are  six  bedrooms,  dressing- 
room  and  bathroom,  and  two  servants'  rooms  in  the  attics.  The 
first  floor  windows  are  built  a  little  differently  to  those  shown  on  the 
plan,  as  can  be  seen  from  the  view  of  the  garden  front.  Cost  on 
application  to  the  architect. 

House  at  Appleton,   Cheshire.     William  &   Segar  Owen,   Architects. 

{Seep.  204.) 

This  house  is  built  with  local  grey  bricks,  the  timber-work 
throughout  being  of  Dantzic  oak,  and  the  timber  framing  being  solid 
without  exception.  The  roofs  are  covered  with  soft  sand  tiles  for 
vegetating.  All  the  ground  floors  are  of  oak  boards.  The  accommo- 
dation comprises,  on  the  ground  floor,  drawing-room  with  a  big  bow 
window,  communicating  with  a  sitting  hall,  and  both  opening  on  to 
a  verandah ;  a  dining-room,  butler's  pantry,  kitchen,  scullery,  and 
offices,  and  enclosed  yard.  On  the  upper  floor  are  five  bedrooms, 
three  dressing-rooms,  bathroom,  &c.  The  windows  are  wrought- 
iron  casements  with  leaded  lights  and  diamond  panes.  Cost  on 
application  to  the  architects. 

House,  High  Cliffe,  Appleton,  Cheshire.     William  &  Segar  Owen, 
Architects.     {Sec p.  205.) 

This  picturesque  house  is  built  in  Accrington  bricks,  with 
vegetating  sand  tiles  on  the  roof.  The  architects  have  obtained 
some  play  in  the  fine  chimney  stacks.  The  accommodation  on  the 
ground  floor  comprises  a  sitting-hall,  drawing-room,  dining-room, 
loggia,  kitchen  and  offices,  wash-house,  motor-house,  and  enclosed 
yard.  On  the  first  floor  there  are  day  and  night  nurseries,  three 
bedrooms,  dressing-room,  bathroom,  etc.,  and  owing  to  the  levels  of 
the  ground  a  short  flight  of  six  steps  from  the  day  nursery  brings  one 
to  the  terrace,  which  is  a  considerable  convenience  for  children  and 

188 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

nurses.  On  the  second  floor  there  are  four  more  rooms  in  the  roof. 
The  casement  windows  have  leaded  lights.  Cost  on  application  to 
the  architects. 

House  at  Shottermill,   near  Hindhead.     Charles  Spooner,  Architect. 

(Sec pp.  206,  207.) 

This  house,  in  the  picturesque  Hindhead  district,  commands 
fine  views,  and  is  built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  a  red  tiled  roof. 
The  exterior  woodwork  is  painted  white.  There  is  a  small  hall,  also 
a  dining-room  and  large  drawing-room,  both  these  rooms  having  big 
shallow  bow  windows.  A  combined  pantry  and  servants'  parlour  is 
also  provided,  kitchen,  and  offices.  Both  dining-room  and  drawing- 
room  are  provided  with  separate  entrances  to  the  grounds.  On  the 
first  floor  there  is  a  morning-room,  with  French  windows  opening  on 
to  a  balcony  commanding  beautiful  views ;  also  three  bedrooms, 
dressing-room,  bathroom,  and  linen  cupboard.  On  the  second  floor 
there  are  three  bedrooms  and  box  accommodation.  Earth  closets 
having  to  be  provided  have  occasioned  some  difficulty  in  the 
planning.  Oak  joinery  is  employed  in  the  dining-room.  The  cost 
was  ^3,000. 

The  Garden  House,  Saltwood,   Kent.      John  W.  Rhodes,  Architect. 

(Sec pp.  208,  209.) 

The  site  commands  extensive  views  over  the  English  Channel 
from  Dungeness  to  Folkestone.  It  is  about  2$  miles  from  the  sea, 
and  adjoins  and  overlooks  the  well-known  American  garden  which  is 
in  the  same  ownership.  The  new  gardens  (comprising  six  acres)  are 
being  laid  out  broadly  to  the  architect's  design.  Abundance  of 
excellent  water  was  found  on  the  estate,  and  pumping  is  effected  by 
a  "  Petter  "  oil-engine.  The  main  buildings,  stable  and  outbuildings, 
are  all  built  with  selected  grizzles.  All  exterior  walls  are  thrice 
coated  with  a  special  limewhite  and  tallow  dressing.  The  roofs  were 
originally  intended  to  be  reed  thatched,  but  the  stable  only  has  been 
covered  in  this  way,  old  selected  tiles  taken  from  demolished  houses 
in  Dover  being  used  for  the  remainder.  This  necessitated  some 
alterations  in  the  original  drawings  of  roof  plans.  The  principal 
rooms  face  south-east  and  south-west.  All  the  oak  doors,  architraves, 
etc.,  on  the  ground  floor  were  cut  from  old  mill-posts,  the  long  strap 
hinges  and  latches  being  in  wrought-iron.  The  boudoir  is  heated  by 
a  hanging-basket,  and  the  remaining  best  rooms  by  well-fires  with 
stone,  red  brick  or  wood  mantels.  All  these  fittings  are  to  the 
architect's  special  design.  The  illuminant  throughout  is  acetylene 
gas,  and  is  most  successful.  The  cost  of  the  house  alone  was  about 
^4,000,  but  there  were,  in  addition,  stabling,  a  long  carriage  drive  and 
other  extensive  work  in  connection  with  the  laying  out  of  the  site. 

Rushmere  Lodge,  near  Ipswich,    Suffolk.     Charles  Spooner,  Architect. 

(See pp.  209,  210.) 

This  is  a  very  charming  example  of  modern  domestic  work, 
albeit  somewhat  above  the  cost  set  out  as  the  limit  for  houses  in  this 
book.     The  house  has,  however,  considerable  accommodation,  and  its 

189 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

pleasing  proportions  and  well-designed  windows  and  doorway  make 
it  very  acceptable  for  illustration.  The  walls  are  of  brick,  rough- 
casted, with  red  tiled  roof.  The  exterior  woodwork  is  painted  white, 
with  the  exception  of  the  jalousies,  which  are  green.  The  accommo- 
dation comprises  small  hall,  morning-room,  large  drawing-room, 
dining-room,  cloak-room,  butler's  pantry  and  bedroom,  kitchen, 
scullery,  back  hall,  servants'  hall  and  offices  on  the  ground  floor,  and 
there  are  cellars  under  the  butler's  pantry,  cloak-room,  and  lobby. 
On  the  first  floor  there  are  eight  bedrooms,  three  dressing-rooms, 
bathroom,  linen  cupboard,  &c.  The  joinery  inside  is  painted,  and 
the  door  furniture  is  of  brass  and  good.  There  are  oak  floors  in 
the  principal  rooms,  and  ventilating  grates,  which  warm  the  rooms 
over.      The  cost  was  ^3,400. 

Mouse  at  Bickley,  Kent.     Ernest  Newton,  Architect. 

(See  below  and  opposite  page.) 

This  is  a  large  house,  by  Mr.  Newton,  built  of  red  brick  with 
red  tiled  roof.  The  plan  is  regular,  with  a  large  drawing-room, 
sitting-hall,  and  dining-room,  staircase-hall,  and  study  on  the  ground 
floor,  together  with  servants'  hall,  kitchen,  second  staircase  and 
offices.  On  the  first  floor  there  are  six  bedrooms,  two  dressing- 
rooms,  bathroom,  linen-room,  &c.  ;  and  on  the  attic  floor  four 
bedrooms   and  box-room.     Cost   on  application  to  the   architect. 


Ewe  fflco 

HOUSE     AT     BICKLEY      KENT.     (See  above  and  next  page.) 
ERHEST     HEWTOH,     Architect. 


I90 


GARDEN     FRONT. 


GKXjWD  FlflDP 


Fissr  Ftjoe 


HOUSE     AT     BICKLEY,      KENT. 
ERNEST     NEWTON.      Architect. 


Built  of  brick  with  red  tile  roof.      Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect.     See  opposite  page. 


IQI 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

"Newlands,"  Bourne  End,   Bucks.     William  Henry   White,  Architect. 

(See  t>.  211.) 

This  is  an  example  of  Mr.  White's  larger  domestic  work,  to  be 
Duilt  in  brick,  rough-cast,  with  tile  roof.  The  ground  floor  accommo- 
dation comprises  drawing-room,  large  sitting-hall  with  loggia,  dining- 
room,  kitchen,  bicycle  house,  offices,  &c. ;  and  on  the  upper  floor  there 
are  seven  bedrooms,  bathroom,  linen  cupboard,  &c.  One  of  the 
bedrooms  has  a  small  balcony  overlooking  a  fine  view.  The  contract 
price  was  ^2,200. 

House  at  Wimbledon,   Surrey.     Ernest  Newton,  Architect. 

(Sec p.  212.) 

One  of  the  leaders  in  English  domestic  architecture  is  Mr. 
Ernest  Newton,  and  the  two  examples — the  house  above  named 
and  the  house  at  Bickley — are  very  typical  of  his  work.  This  house 
is  of  brick,  rough  cast,  with  tiled  roof.  The  projecting  porch  and 
bay  above  it  give  relief  to  the  frontage.  There  is  a  small  entrance 
hall,  flanked  with  dining-room  and  drawing-room ;  at  the  back  is  a 
study,  and  on  the  opposite  side  the  kitchen  wing.  On  the  first  floor 
there  are  three  bedrooms,  with  a  sitting-room  or  boudoir,  dressing- 
room,  bathroom,  and  linen  cupboard.  On  the  attic  floor  are  two 
bedrooms  and  box-room.  The  staircase  is  roomy  with  square 
landings  and  straight  flights.  An  excellent  English  house.  Cost 
on  application  to  the  architect. 

Breach  House,  Cholsey.     Edward  Warren,  Architect. 

(Sec  pp.  213—215.) 

This  house,  like  Mr.  Voysey's  house  at  Chorley  Wood,  is  of 
particular  interest  in  that  it  was  designed  by  the  architect  for  his 
own  use.  The  walls  are  built  of  local  bricks  overlaid  with  "  fine- 
cast,"  or  rough  stucco,  and  colour  washed.  The  roofs  are  covered 
with  old  red  tiles  obtained  from  neighbouring  farm  buildings.  The 
corners  of  the  house  face  almost  exactly  the  cardinal  points  of  the 
compass  on  a  site  formed  by  a  spur  of  the  Berkshire  Downs,  and 
about  300  feet  above  the  sea,  commanding  fine  views  of  the  Thames 
Valley  and  the  Chilterns.  The  dining-room  and  drawing-room  open- 
ing into  one  form  a  fine  room,  and  the  hall  has  a  sitting-corner  well 
screened  from  draughts.  The  "  terrace  "  is  perhaps  more  entitled  to 
the  name  of  "  stoep,"  and  makes  an  excellent  living-room.  In  the 
attic  storey  there  are  four  rooms.     The  cost  was  about  ^3,000. 

House  on  the  Downs,  Lyminge,   Kent.     Arthur  T.   Bolton,  Architect. 

(See  p.  216.) 

These  drawings  have  been  made  for  a  house  on  a  site  about 
500  feet  above  sea  level,  and  of  a  very  exposed  character.  The  walls 
are  accordingly  designed  two  feet  thick  on  the  principal  fronts  and  are 
built  with  a  hollow  space  of  Kentish  rag  and  brick  inside  lining. 
Parts  of  the  house  are  hung  with  local  tiles  as  a  weather  covering, 
the  brick  walls  being  built  hollow  up  to  the  first  floor.     The  site  is 

192 


GENERAL     VIEW. 


ENTRANCE     FRONT. 

COTTAGE     AT     MINEHEAD,     SOMERSET.     (Seep.  185.) 

BARRY  PARKER  and  RAYMOND  UNWIN,   Architects. 


193 


THE      LIVING     ROOM. 

COTTAGE     AT     MINEHEAD.     {See  previous  page.) 


194 


ENTRANCE     FRONT     VIEWED     FROM     THE     SIDE. 
Photograph   by   F.   Mason   Good. 


labwtr.  coals 
b0u5hinc  $<=  in 

sheds  in  vaed 


•T  FLOOR 

4-  B^COOMS,  1  DQESSHC 
ROOMS,  &VTMOOOM ,  LINEN 
OOOM.  MMC    .«■    NC  ■ 


Z"'  FLOOR . 

5  BEDPOOMS .  BOXROOM 
S-HMC 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 


THE     CROFT.       WINCHFIELD.     HANTS 
ROBERT    WEIR    SCHULTZ,    Architect. 

Built  with   n-inch    hollow    walls    of    red    hand-made    facing    bricks.      Roof   boarded,    felted,    and  covered  with 
dark  red  tiles.      Casement  windows.      Cost,  /2,ooo.     See  p.  1S5. 


195 


"THE     CROFT."      WINCHFIELD,      HANTS.  (See   previous   page.) 

Photograph    by    F.    Mason   Good. 


THE     HALL.     LOOKING     INTO     THE     DINING     ROOM     AND     STUDY. 

THE     ORCHARD,"     CHORLEY     WOOD,     HERTS.     (See  next  page.) 
Photograph  by  Irving. 


196 


Photograph  by  H.   Irving. 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN 
"THE     ORCHARD,       CHORLEY     WOOD.     HERTS. 
C.    A.    VOrStr.    Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  stone  dressings  to  windows.        Wrought-iron    casement    windows   with    leaded 
lights.      Roof  covered  with  American  green  slates.     Cost,  about  £3,000.     See  p.  1S6. 


197 


Photograph   by    G     Martin. 


7  BEPOCOHS  ,  DATHDOOM  , 
HMC    LINEN    >    BOXCOOW. 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN 


BEAUMONTS,"     EDENBRIDGE, 
ROBERT  WEIR  SCHUITZ,   Architect. 


Built  with  hollow  walls  of   red  hand-made  local    bricks,   the    upper   part    on    two    sides    tile-hung   over  brick- 
nogging.  on  the  third  side,  rough-cast  on   metal  lathing.      Red    tiles   on  the   roof.     Cost    about  /-»  400 
Seep.  187.  '  *"■'■*     ' 


198 


BEAUMONTS,        EDENBRIDGE       KENT:     THE      HALL. 
Photograph   by    G.    Martin. 


*$$$&*&$ 


COTTAGE     AT     BURY,     SUSSEX:     FROM     THE     GARDEN.       (See  next  page.) 


199 


ENTRANCE     FRONT. 


■    '    ■ 
COTTAGE      AT      BURY,      SUSSEX.      (As  altered.) 
CHARLES  SPOOHER,    Architect. 


povi  or  iirzc  none. 


This  cottage  was  constructed  by  altering  and  adding  to  a  small  farmhouse  and  outbuildings,  at  a  cost  of  £2,000. 
See  1 


COTTAGE     AT     BURY:     THE     HALL.     (See  opposite  pnge.) 


COTTAGE     AT     LEATHERHEAD:     SOUTH-WEST     VIEW.     (See  next  page.) 


w 


o 
O 


HOUSE     AT     STANMORE.     MIDDLESEX. 
HORACE  FIELD,    Architect. 


Built  of  red  brick,  with  red  tile  roof  and  tile-hung  facings.     Cost  on  application  to  the  Architect.     See  p.   1S8. 


203 


GENERAL     VIEW. 
Photograph  by   T.   Lewis. 


C.H.CIND    7"LCOR 


HOUSE     AT     APPLETON,     CHESHIRE. 
WILLIAM  and  SEGAR  OWEH,   Architects. 


flF^T      fj-OOt\ 


Built  of  local  grey  bricks,  with  Dantzic  oak  timber  work,  the  half-timber  framing  being  solid  without  exception. 
Wrought-iron  casement  windows  with  diamond  pane  leaded  lights.  Cost  on  application  to  the  Architects. 
See  p 


204 


a  \m 


■■-. 


h 


|,EE.;iEi|iili! 

l„U  Bits 


■  SSs. «  ■ 


1  ',  ■  j*  -  *?  O  ■  1  '-i-''     •       'Z      '■"  -  '.j,,v   --»■-! 


liSf 


■  ■ 


VIEW     FROM     THE     GARDEN. 


^1m" 

^ 

»«m   njtir^T     i»-r  it«i(i    1 

lint  -" 

r^ 


GijmD     noo*.  hot    no 

HOUSE.     HIGH     CLIFFE,     APPLETON,     CHESHIRE. 
WILLIAM  and  SEGAft  OWEN,   Architects. 

Built  of  Accrington  bricks,  with  vegetating  sand  tiles  on   the  roof.     Casement  windows  with  leaded    lights.     Cost 
on  application  to  the  Architects.        See  p.   188. 


2°5 


GZOVND  FLOOK  FIE3T  FLOOR. 

HOUSE     AT     SHOTTERMILL.     HINDHEAD. 
CHARLES  SPOOHER,   Architect 

Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,  with  red  tiled  roof.     External  woodwork  painted  white.     Cost  .£3,000.     Seep.  1S9. 


206 


THE     ENTRANCE     FRONT. 


THE     DRAWING-ROOM. 

HOUSE     AT     SHOTTERM1LL,     NEAR     HINDHEAD.      (See  opposite  page.) 


207 


THE     GARDEN     HOUSE.     SALTWOOD.     KENT. 
JOHN   VI.    RHODES,    Architect. 

Built  of  brick,  coated  with  special  dressing  of    lime-white  and    tallow.      Roofs   covered    with    old  tiles.       Oak 
half-timber  work.     Cost  of  house  alone,  between  £4,000  and  £5,000.     See  p.  189. 


20S 


THE     GARDEN      HOUSE.     SALTWOOD  :     THE     HALL.     See  opposite  page. 


RUSHMERE     LODGE      NEAR     IPSWICH       THE     GARDEN     FRONT.     S?e  *e,t  page 


209 


GZOHVP  FLOOEPLA,',: 

RUSHMERE     LODGE,     NEAR     IPSWICH,     SUFFOLK. 
CHARLES  SPOONEtt,    Architect. 


4 — u  U  I  m — r1 


rnzir  nssaz pzam. 


Built  of  brick,  rough-casted,   with   red   tiled   roof.       External   woodwork   painted    white    and   jalousies   green. 
Cost,   ^3,400.    See  p.  189. 


"newlands,"    bourne    end,    bucks. 

WIU.   HENRY   WHITE,   Architect. 

To  be  built  of  brick,  rough-cast,  with  casement  windows  and  tile  roof.     Contract  price  £1.200.     See  p.  192. 


211 


mm\  7i  fas  if  -:  #1K  "ffiFftnRPT :l         ;  ""»  m  nr 


5^  ■-■ 


nmr  q  El 


finest /fewto/i  Mf 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN. 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


ATTIC     PLAN. 


HOUSE     AT     WIMBLEDON.     SURREY. 
ERNEST  NEWTON,   Architect. 

Built   of  brick,   rough-cast,  with  red   tile  roof.      Cost  on  application  to   the  Architect.     See  p.  192. 


GENERAL     VIEW. 


.      H--l,nlW-   * 


GROUND     FLOOR     PLAN 


FIRST     FLOOR     PLAN. 


BREACH     HOUSE.     CHOLSEY. 
EDWARD    WARREN,   Architect. 

Built  of  local  bricks,  overlaid  with  fine  cast  or  rough   stucco,   and  colour    washed.       The    roofs  are  covered 
with  old  red  tiles,  obtained  from  neighbouring  farm  buildings.     Cost,  about  £3,000.     See  p.  192. 


2Ij 


THE     ENTRANCE     FRONT. 


THE     DRAWING-ROOM. 

BREACH     HOUSE,    CHOLSEY.     (See  previous  page.) 


214 


GARDEN     FRONT. 


THE     HALL. 

BREACH     HOUSE,     CHOLSEY.      (See  p.   213.) 


2'S 


CCAVEL      WAIK 


HOUSE     ON     THE     DOWNS,     LYMINGE,     KENT. 
ARTHUR  T.   BOLTON,   Architect. 


Built  in  an  exposed  situation.    Hollow  walls,  2  feet  thick,  faced  with  Kentish  rag-stone  and  lined  with  brick.     Part  of 
house  hung  with  tiles  as  a  weather  covering.     Estimated  cost,  £3,000.     See  p.  192. 


216 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

chalk  close  to  the  surface,  and  has  a  considerable  fall.  The  excavated 
chalk  forms  the  filling  in  of  the  terrace,  which  is  faced  with  Kentish 
rag  rubble  walling.  On  account  of  the  splendid  view  from  the  garden 
front  a  recessed  verandah,  or  portico,  with  columns  and  entablature 
of  wood,  forms  a  feature  of  this  side  of  the  house.  It  is  arranged 
with  a  flat  terrace  roof,  accessible  from  the  first  floor  bedrooms  by 
steps.  The  hall  receives  a  clerestory  light  on  account  of  the 
collection  to  be  displayed  in  the  cases  forming  part  of  the  internal 
fittings,  as  marked  on  the  plan  in  between  the  pillars  of  the  screen  to 
the  outer  hall,  and  in  the  side  recesses. 

The  plan  is  laid  out  to  suit  the  special  ideas  of  the  owner. 
The  reception  rooms  are  larger  than  is  usual  and  there  are  fewer 
bedrooms,  but  they  are  of  good  size.  It  is  proposed  to  have  two 
bathrooms.  The  cost  is  estimated  at  £3,000,  on  the  basis  of  gd.  a 
foot  cube. 


217 


CHAPTER    VII. 

SOME    NOTES    ON    COTTAGE    GARDENS. 

With  regard  to  the  country  garden,  the  nature  and  extent  of  its 
laying  out  will  depend  very  much  on  the  class  of  house  to  which  it  is 
to  be  a  setting.  The  rustic  appearance  is  naturally  enhanced  by  an 
"  old-fashioned  "  garden  ;  any  attempt  at  much  formal  gardening  with 
geometrical  beds,  stately  terraces,  balustrades,  and  topiary  work 
would  result  in  an  utterly  incongruous  effect.  On  the  other  hand,  a 
large  mansion,  or  one  which  aims  at  a  considerable  stateliness  of 
effect,  demands  in  immediate  contiguity  some  mingling  of  easy 
natural  forms  and  severe  artificial  outlines  such  as  formal  gardening 
affords,  so  that  the  eye  sees  a  gradual  transition  from  the  hard 
outline  of  the  house  to  the  broad,  flowing  lines  of  the  surrounding 
country.  In  some  cases  this  formal  method  is  adopted  "  to  lead  up 
to"  the  house,  but  the  idea  aimed  at  is  the  same  —  to  soften  the 
crude  severity  of  a  house  against  natural  scenery. 

Many  good  examples  of  country  cottages  cannot,  unfortunately, 
be  illustrated  at  their  best.  The  country-home  movement  is  of  such 
recent  growth  that  the  present  visible  results  in  the  majority  of  cases 
lack  the  mellowing  effect  of  time,  the  sense  of  establishment,  and 
that  enhancement  which  verdure  alone  confers.  Trees  and  shrubs, 
especially  if  planted  small,  take  some  years  to  give  an  appreciable 
effect  to  the  general  scheme,  and  for  that  reason  it  is  advisable  in 
selecting  a  site  to  get  one  on  which  there  are  a  number  of  well-grown 
trees  which  can  have  their  place  in  the  general  scheme. 

It  should  be  the  first  object  in  building  to  save  as  many  trees  as 
possible.  The  architect  who  has  to  fashion  a  home  on  a  bare  site 
has  a  troublesome  task  in  store,  and  well  he  knows  it.  Judging  from 
the  efforts  of  the  speculative  builder,  his  first  idea  when  he  takes 
possession  of  a  site  is  to  hack  every  li\  ing  stick  of  verdure  down,  and 
until  the  whole  ground  is  as  bare  as  a  billiard  table  he  seems  unable 
to  plant  his  abominations  on  it.  In  some  cases  it  would  almost 
appear  that  he  takes  a  fiendish  joy  or  malevolence  in  so  doing.  A 
few  years  ago  there  was  an  old  mansion  called  Peterborough  House 
in  the  New  King's  Road,  Fulham.  The  grounds,  enclosed  by  a  high 
brick  wall,  had  a  thick  belt  of  timber  against  the  road,  consisting  of 
tall  elms  and  other  trees,  which  formed  a  grateful  relief  among  the 
surrounding  sea  of  bricks  and  mortar.  The  rest  of  the  estate  had  an 
unusual  complement  of  shrubs  and  smaller  trees.  Not  a  stick  of 
these  was  left — not  so  much  as  a  laurel  or  lilac  bush  to  grace  the 
cramped  little  backyards,  or  throw  a  relieving  note  in  the  rows  of 
ugly  little  pink  brick  and  yellow  terra-cotta  villas  which  now  cover 
the  site. 

2I§ 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

I  am  told  that  the  speculative  builder  looks  to  the  timber  for  an 
additional  profit ;  but  no  one  is  going  to  convince  me  that  elm  cut 
in  blocks  four  feet  long,  or  lilac  bushes  slashed  off  just  above  the 
roots,  are  of  any  good  or  value  to  anyone.  The  only  explanation 
must  be  an  utter  indifference  to  any  feeling  of  beauty  or  fitness. 

Therefore  our  first  duty  is  to  save  the  trees,  and  to  do  this 
architects  plan  and  scheme  their  houses  on  the  sites  to  save  as  much 
of  the  existing  timber  as  possible.  A  study  of  the  existing  trees  goes 
far  to  decide  on  the  laying  out  of  the  garden.  About  gardens  there 
are  two  types  of  mind — the  one  that  delights  in  an  "  old-fashioned  " 
garden  where  things  are  planted  haphazard  and  are  allowed  to  grow 
"  anyhow  "  ;  and  the  more  severe  and  prim  type  that  favours  trim  beds 
and  lawns,  with  plants  equally  spaced  apart  in  serried  rows,  and,  in 
extreme  cases,  has  beds  planted  in  geometrical  patterns,  with  the 
date  of  the  year  or  the  name  of  the  owner.  The  only  relaxation — so 
it  is  meant  to  be — to  the  eye  in  the  latter  kind  of  garden  is  the 
invariable  serpentine  path  whose  convolutions  are  the  outcome  of  a 
poorly  educated  mind  struggling  to  emulate  the  supposed  vicious 
objection  of  Nature  to  a  straight  line. 

There  is  no  inherent  beauty  in  a  lawn  bisected  by  the  wobbly 
path  beloved  of  the  gardener  of  i860,  and  architects  are  not  afraid 
now  to  plan  the  approaches  to  the  various  parts  of  the  grounds  with 
a  directness  which  is  reminiscent  of  the  Italian  garden  without 
following  its  formality  in  other  directions.  One  could  wish  that  the 
beautiful  grass  paths  which  were  such  a  feature  of  the  old  monastic 
gardens  could  more  often  find  a  place  in  our  modern  gardens,  and 
that  the  gravel  path,  troublesome  to  keep  in  order,  and  always 
uncomfortable  to  walk  over,  was  more  frequently  conspicuous  by 
its  absence.  Many  of  our  modern  gardens  have  paths  paved  with 
pebbles,  than  which,  despite  its  pretty  effect,  there  is  no  more 
slippery  and  ankle-twisting  pavement  in  existence.  The  old  red 
brick  paths,  or  those  made  with  old  flagstones,  are  much  to  be 
preferred.  I  plead  guilty  to  a  preference  for  tarred  macadam  rather 
than  for  gravel. 

With  herbaceous  borders  it  is  well  not  to  plan  them  too  wide, 
as  it  is  both  difficult  to  keep  them  in  order  in  such  case,  or  to  reach 
the  flowers  at  the  back  of  them  without  maiming  or  trampling  on 
those  in  front.  And  at  the  back  of  herbaceous  borders  I  would  have 
shrubs — a  hedge  of  shrubs,  and  not  necessarily  a  high  hedge.  In  no 
way,  I  think,  can  the  colour  value  and  beauty  of  the  flowers  be  better 
retained  than  against  a  background  of  green.  The  hollyhock  is  a  tall 
straggly  plant  whose  colour  and  effect  is  often  lost  in  the  air,  but 
placed  against  a  background  of  yew  or  even  hawthorn  its  beauty  is 
at  once  increased. 

The  "  old-fashioned  "  gardener  has  a  great  objection  to  anything 
approaching  formality  ;  so  much  so  that  his  beds  rarely  present  the 
appearance  of  anything  but  straggling  profusion.  Beds  devoted  to 
one  kind  of  annual,  I  think,  give  much  greater  beauty — one  can 
obtain  in  the  mass  a  feast  of  colour  and  scent  that  is  never 
obtainable  in  any  other  way,  and  it  has  this  advantage  that  when 

219 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

the  plants  have  died  off  they  can  be  removed  and  replaced  by  some 
later  flower  with  a  minimum  of  trouble,  without  disturbing  other 
plants  and  without  leaving  ugly  gaps  as  in  the  old-fashioned  border. 

The  backbone  of  a  garden  is,  however,  a  profusion  of  shrubs  ; 
planted  intelligently  they  afford  privacy,  screen  off  ugly  corners, 
give  shelter  and  shade,  and  form  a  delightful  background  to  the 
flowers.  Moreover,  the  conifers  with  their  perpetual  foliage  are  most 
useful,  as  they  practically  make  the  garden  in  winter  when  flowers  are 
scarce  and  the  trees  are  bare.  The  flowering  trees  like  the  lilacs, 
laburnums,  almonds,  and  hawthorns  will  find  their  place  for  effect. 
No  set  rules  can  be  laid  down  as  to  the  best  trees  to  plant ;  so  much 
depends  on  situation,  aspect,  and  soil. 

The  architectural  features  of  the  garden,  comprising  the  terrace, 
seats,  arbours,  sundials,  statues,  ponds,  etc.,  are,  even  in  the  cottage 
garden,  more  formal  nowadays  than  they  used  to  be.  I  use  the  term 
architectural  merely  for  distinction  ;  the  architect  has  as  much  voice 
— or  should  have — in  the  lay-out  of  the  garden  as  in  the  arrangement 
and  disposition  of  the  house.  These  items  of  garden  architecture  as 
stated,  and  their  placing  in  the  garden,  must  receive  very  close 
consideration. 

Builders  of  country  cottages  should  therefore  study  the  class  of 
garden  best  adapted  to  the  style  of  their  home.  The  pergolas  and 
summer-houses  constructed  in  brick  and  stone  with  classic  columns 
and  mouldings  may  be  admirably  adapted  for  the  mansion,  but 
should  be  replaced  by  humbler  structures  of  trellis  in  the  cottage 
garden.  The  trellis  may  be  of  the  conventional  pattern  sold  by 
every  provider  of  garden  requisites  ;  but  a  more  pleasing  effect  can 
be  obtained  by  the  square  or  French  pattern,  and  this  is  more 
generally  favoured  by  architects.  The  same  formality  of  the  French 
treillage  in  its  entirety  would,  however,  be  out  of  place  in  a  cottage 
garden. 

As  a  rule  these  architectural  features  are  points  up  to  which  the 
garden  planting  is  made  to  lead — they  form  the  setting  to  vistas  and 
views.  It  is  the  aim  of  the  designer  to  invest  the  grounds  with  some 
amount  of  mystery,  with  surprise  views  and  little  beauties  in  un- 
expected places  which  add  to  the  general  charm.  The  garden  which 
is  wholly  revealed  from  the  windows  of  the  house  can  never  afford  this 
fascination.  Perhaps  in  this  connection  a  word  can  be  said  for  the 
lawn.  The  modern  lawn,  despite  its  level  and  luxuriant  turf,  is  a 
somewhat  crude  affair.  The  gardener  of  fifty  years  ago  knew  better 
when  he  hedged  his  lawn  with  evergreens — so  that  its  full  extent  and 
beauty  were  not  disclosed  at  a  single  glance. 

The  planting  of  creepers  against  the  house  walls  is  now  so 
usual  as  barely  to  need  mentioning.  But  the  commoner  kinds  of 
creeper  are  hardly  desirable.  Ivy  is  harmful  to  the  fabric  unless 
attended  to,  while  the  ordinary  Virginian  creeper  in  a  few  years 
reduces  the  house  to  a  shapeless  and  untidy  heap.  For  general  pur- 
poses the  Ampelopsis  Veitchii  is  hard  to  beat ;  it  is  quick  growing 
and  neat,  and  if  kept  in  order  always  looks  well.  The  obscuration  of 
all  the  architectural  features  of  the  cottage  is  hardly  complimentary 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

to  the  architect,  but,  in  too  many  cases,  alas  !  the  owner  is  amply 
justified.  Still  clematis,  roses,  honeysuckle  and  the  passion  flower, 
etc.,  should  provide  sufficient  variety  for  training  on  the  walls 
without  recourse  to  the  more  ungovernable  creepers.  Wistaria 
has  a  beautiful  flower ;  but  as  a  rule,  unless  properly  secured, 
becomes  untidy  and  unsightly. 

The  pergola  forms  a  prominent  feature  of  the  modern  cottage. 
The  Americans,  influenced  by  their  climate,  doubtless,  have  greatly 
developed  its  use,  but  their  pergolas  are  unlovely  things,  and  the 
immense  size  of  the  supports  they  usually  employ  (seemingly  capable 
of  carrying  a  twenty-floor  skyscraper)  appear  altogether  out  of  place 
in  such  a  structure.  The  framing  should  be  as  light  as  possible 
consistent  with  the  weight  to  be  carried,  and  if  possible  trees  should 
be  trained  to  form  the  pergola  without  artificial  support.  A  pleasing 
example  of  this  latter  method  has  just  been  completed  in  Sussex, 
where  a  very  large  pergola  was  formed  with  cherry  trees,  trained 
on  a  temporary  framework.  In  five  years'  time  it  is  estimated  that 
this  unique  pergola  will  have  reached  its  full  beauty. 

Arbours  are  nowadays  more  frequently  formed  with  natural 
creepers  trained  over  a  framework,  though  more  substantial  "  garden 
houses  "  are  by  no  means  uncommon.  The  "rustic"  arbour  of  deal 
decorated  with  twisted  oak,  stained  and  varnished,  is  an  atrocity  fast 
dying  out,  and  also  the  garden  seats  that  match  it.  The  beautiful 
seats  on  the  old  pattern  introduced  by  the  Pyghtle  works  will,  it  is 
hoped,  become  more  widely  known. 

Rockeries  it  is  difficult  to  find  delight  in  ;  as  a  rule  the  average 
rockery  reminds  you  of  that  infantile  "  catch  "  that  begins 

"  Around  the  rugged  rocks 
The  ragged  rascals  ran." 

As  their  purpose  is  more  often  to  conceal  an  unsightly  corner 
than  to  grow  the  plants  most  suited  to  them,  their  appearance  is  far 
from  prepossessing.  Rockeries  are  most  suitable  where  there  are 
springs  or  water  which  can  be  utilised  for  waterfall  effects. 

The  subject  of  water  treatment  is  rather  a  wide  one  to  be  dealt 
with  in  a  short  note.  But  a  garden  can  hardly  reach  its  full  beauty 
without  a  small  pond  for  water  plants,  though  the  inclusion  of  a  pond 
must  depend  very  much  on  the  size  of  the  garden.  The  small  clear- 
water  goldfish  basin,  into  which  most  visitors  accidentally  stumble  at 
some  time  or  other,  is  hardly  to  be  dignified  by  the  name  of  a  pond, 
and  one's  interest  in  it  diminishes  at  the  sight  of  the  neighbour's 
cat  sitting  on  its  stone  rim  and  fishing  for  a  toothsome  morsel.  In 
the  treatment  of  water,  on  a  miniature  scale,  the  Japanese  have 
become  pre-eminent,  and  a  study  of  some  of  their  garden  effects  is 
valuable  in  considering  what  can  be  done  in  laying  out  a  small 
garden  space. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

PROFESSIONAL    CHARGES    OF    ARCHITECTS. 

The  charges  of  all  reputable  architects  are  made  in  conformity 
with  the  schedule  sanctioned  by  the  Royal  Institute  of  British 
Architects,  confirmed  at  a  General  Conference  of  Architects  of  the 
United  Kingdom,  1872,  and  revised  by  the  Institute,  1898.  The 
main  points  are  : — 

1.  The  usual  remuneration  for  an  architect's  services,  except  as 
hereinafter  mentioned,  is  a  commission  of  5  per  cent,  on  the  total 

.  cost  of  works  executed  under  his  directions.  Such  total  cost  is  to  be 
valued  as  though  executed  by  a  builder  with  new  materials.  This 
commission  is  for  the  necessary  preliminary  conferences  and  sketches, 
approximate  estimate  when  required  (such,  for  instance,  as  may  be 
obtained  for  cubing  out  the  contents),  the  necessary  general  and 
detailed  drawings  and  specifications,  one  set  of  tracings,  duplicate 
specification,  general  superintendence  of  works,  and  examining  and 
passing  the  accounts,  exclusive  of  measuring  and  making  out  extras 
and  omissions. 

2.  This  commission  does  not  include  the  payment  for  services 
rendered  in  connection  with  negotiations  relating  to  the  site  or 
premises,  or  in  supplying  drawings  to  ground  or  other  landlords, 
or  in  surveying  of  premises  and  taking  levels,  making  surveys  and 
plans  of  buildings  to  be  altered,  making  arrangements  in  respect  of 
party-walls  and  rights  of  light,  or  for  drawings  for  and  correspondence 
with  local  and  other  authorities,  or  for  services  consequent  on  the 
failure  of  builders  to  carry  out  the  works,  or  for  services  in  connection 
with  litigation  or  arbitration,  or  in  the  measurement  and  valuation 
of  extras  and  omissions.  For  such  services  additional  charges  pro- 
portionate to  the  trouble  involved  and  time  spent  are  made.  The 
clerk  of  the  works  should  be  appointed  by  the  architect,  his  salary 
being  paid  by  the  client. 

3.  In  all  works  of  less  cost  than  ^1,000,  and  in  works  requiring 
designs  for  furniture  and  fittings  of  buildings,  or  for  their  decoration 
with  painting,  mosaics,  sculpture,  stained  glass,  or  other  like  works, 
and  in  cases  of  alterations  and  additions  to  buildings,  5  per  cent,  is 
not  remunerative,  and  the  charge  is  regulated  by  special  circum- 
stances and  conditions. 

4.  When   several    distinct   buildings,    being   repetitions   of   one 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 

design,  are  erected  at  the  same  time  from  a  single  specification  and 
one  set  of  drawings  and  under  one  contract,  the  usual  commission 
may  be  charged  on  the  cost  of  one  such  building  and  a  modified 
arrangement  made  in  respect  of  the  others  ;  but  the  arrangement 
does  not  apply  to  the  reduplication  of  parts  in  one  building  under- 
taking, in  which  case  the  full  commission  is  to  be  charged  on  the 
total  cost. 

5.  If  the  architect  should  have  drawn  out  the  approved  design 
complete,  with  plans,  elevations,  sections,  and  specification,  the 
charge  is  2^  per  cent,  upon  the  estimated  cost.  If  he  should  have 
procured  tenders  in  accordance  with  the  instruction  of  his  employer, 
the  charge  is  \  per  cent,  in  addition.  Two  and  a  half  per  cent,  is 
charged  upon  any  works  originally  included  in  the  contract  or  tender, 
but  subsequently  omitted  in  execution.  These  charges  are  exclusive 
of  charge  for  taking  out  quantities.  Preliminary  sketches  and  inter- 
views, where  drawings  are  not  further  proceeded  with,  are  charged  for 
according  to  time  and  trouble  involved. 

6.  Should  the  client,  having  approved  the  design,  and  after  the 
contract  drawings  have  been  prepared,  require  material  alterations  to 
be  made,  whether  before  or  after  the  contract  has  been  entered  into, 
extra  charge  is  made. 

7.  The  architect  is  entitled  during  the  progress  of  the  work  to 
payment  by  instalments  on  account  at  the  rate  of  5  per  cent,  on  the 
amount  of  the  certificates  when  granted,  or,  alternatively,  on  the 
signing  of  the  contract  to  half  the  commission  on  the  amount  thereof, 
and  the  remainder  by  instalments  during  their  progress. 

8.  The  charge  per  day  depends  upon  an  architect's  professional 
position,  the  minimum  charge  being  three  guineas. 

9.  The  charge  for  taking  a  plan  of  an  estate,  laying  it  out,  and 
arranging  for  building  upon  it,  is  regulated  by  the  time,  skill,  and 
trouble  involved. 

10.  For  setting  out  on  an  estate  the  position  of  the  proposed 
road  or  roads,  taking  levels,  and  preparing  drawings  for  roads  and 
sewers,  applying  for  the  sanction  of  local  authorities,  and  supplying 
all  necessary  tracings  for  this  purpose,  the  charge  is  2  per  cent,  on 
the  estimated  cost.  For  subsequently  preparing  working  drawings 
and  specifications  of  roads  and  sewers,  obtaining  tenders,  supplying 
one  copy  of  drawings  and  specification  to  the  contractor,  super- 
intending works,  examining  and  passing  accounts  (exclusive  of 
measuring  and  valuing  extras  and  omissions),  the  charge  is  an 
additional  4  per  cent,  on  the  cost  of  the  work  executed. 

11.  For  letting  the  several  plots  in  ordinary  cases  the  charge  is 
a  sum  not  exceeding  a  whole  year's  ground  rent,  but  in  respect  of 
plots  of  greater  value  a  special  arrangement  must  be  made. 

12.  For  approving  plans  submitted  by  the  lessee,  and  for 
inspecting  the  buildings  during  their  progress,  so  far  as  may  be 
necessary  to  ensure  the  conditions  being  fulfilled,  and  certifying  for 
lease,  the  charge  is  a  percentage  not  exceeding  1^  up  to  £5,000, 
and  above  by  special  arrangement. 

223 


COUNTRY    COTTAGES. 


i  per  cent. 


13.  For  valuing  freehold,  copyhold,  or  leasehold  property  the 
charge  is  : — 

On  ^"1,000    .. 

Thence  to  ^"10,000     .. 

Above  £  1 0,000     .. 

In   valuations  for  mortgage,   if  an 
above  scale.     Minimum  fee,  three  guineas. 

14.  For  valuing  and  negotiating  the  settlement  of  claims  under 
the  Lands  Clauses  Consolidation  Act  or  other  Acts  for  the 
compulsory  acquisition  of  property,  the  charge  is  on  Ryde's  scale  as 
follows ;  on  amount  of  settlement,  whether  by  verdict,  award,  or 
otherwise  : — 


\      „  on  residue. 

advance  is  not  made,  one-third 


Amount. 

Gs. 

Amount. 

Gs. 

Amount. 

Gs. 

Amount. 

Gs. 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

100 

5 

2,200 

24 

5,200 

39 

8,200 

54 

200 

7 

2,400 

2  5 

5,400 

40 

8,400 

55 

300 

9 

2,600 

26 

5,600 

41 

8,600 

56 

400 

11 

2,800 

27 

5,800 

42 

8,800 

57 

500 

13 

3,000 

28 

6,000 

43 

9,000 

58 

600 

14 

3,200 

29 

6,200 

44 

9,200 

s9 

700 

is 

3,400 

3° 

6,400 

45 

9,400 

60 

800 

16 

3,600 

31 

6,600 

46 

9,600 

6l 

000 

17 

^,800 

32 

6,800 

47 

q,8oO 

62 

1,000 

18 

4,000 

33 

7,000 

48 

10,000 

63 

1,200 

19 

4,200 

34 

7,200 

49 

1 1 ,000 

68 

1,400 

20 

4,400 

35 

7,400 

5° 

12,000 

73 

1,600 

21 

4,600 

36 

7,600 

51 

14,000 

83 

1,800 

22 

4,800 

37 

7,800 

5  2 

18,000 

103 

2,000 

23 

5,000 

38 

8,000 

53 

20,000 

113 

Beyond  this  Half-a-Guinea  per  cent. 
This    scale    is   exclusive   of  attendances    on    juries   or    umpires, 
or  at  arbitrations,  and  of  expenses  and  preparation  of  plans. 


Printed  dv  Cassell  &  Comtanv,  Limited,  La  Belle  Sauvage,  London,  E.C. 

20  607 


W$B  L1BRARX 


' 


D     000  222  956     5 


